Obituary of Rosemary Clare Johnson

Rosemary and Bob had a wonderful life together for the next 41 years. Millwood was briefly their first home, and Olympia, Washington, their second and final home, where Bob worked as a Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of Washington until his retirement in 1994.

Rosemary was happy to dote on Bob and together they made a lovely home with landscaped yards and beautifully kept flower beds, complete with trails, fountains, and ponds, which could have been featured in a magazine.

 

Rosemary made lists of the many birds that came to their feeders. They enjoyed hosting parties and family gatherings (Rosemary was an excellent cook), attended concerts and symphonies, and loved to travel, having many adventures discovering new parts of the world. A favorite place for Rosemary was the Hawaiian Islands, particularly Kauai, where she escaped to the balm of the tropics as often as possible. For many years, Rosemary took painting classes and produced beautiful landscapes and still life works that are now cherished belongings for those of us lucky enough to possess them. She was also very proud of her bargain shopping skills.

 

Rosemary and Bob loved their four granddaughters, Markʼs girls - Heather and Holly, and Ellenʼs - Leslie and Diana. From sleepovers at Grandmaʼs and Grandpaʼs house, to boat races in the backyard pond, to trips to Hawaii, the girls were gifted with wonderful childhood and lifetime memories and the unconditional love and support only grandparents can give.

 

Their other shared passion was cats, with a special affinity for orange tabbies. We lost count of how many kitties they lovingly rescued through the decades. Family members joked that, if reincarnation was real, they wanted to return as one of Rosemaryʼs and Bobʼs cats. It was a good life, indeed.

 

Rosemaryʼs love for animals was so great that for many, many years, she volunteered for a local organization called Concern for Animals. The group used to run a scone booth at the City of Olympiaʼs annual summer celebration known as Lake Fair, and Rosemary knocked herself out making hundreds of scones to raise funds for all the animals in need.

 

In 2009, Rosemaryʼs life took a sad turn with Bobʼs passing, which means the last decade of her life (even with the love of family, friends, and kitties) was a bit lonelier. And unfortunately, Rosemary experienced declining health associated with Parkinsonʼs, although we believe she is proud of the fact that she stubbornly resisted walkers and wheelchairs until the very end.

 

For those of us who knew and loved Rosemary, she was extremely generous, outgoing and friendly. She loved to meet new people, experience new places, enjoy great food, and appreciate the worldʼs natural beauty. But most of all, she loved her husband (who she is now reunited with); her family, which includes her great-grandchildren, Kael, Gavyn, Peyton, and Vaughn; and, of course, her beloved cats.

 

Rosemary passed away April 1, 2020.  She left this world on her own terms, which were (1) to be in her own home, (2) in her own bed, and (3) with her loyal cat, Max, keeping bedside vigil. And thatʼs exactly what she did.

 

We like to think she and Bob are happily relaxing in a beautiful, balmy tropical setting with the sound of ocean waves gently crashing, birds singing, and the fragrance of exotic flowers blooming.

 

Go in peace. Your work here is done. Know that you are deeply and forever loved.

 

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