BEVERLY - Rosemary (Fonken) Wardlow, born in Freeport, Illinois on July 30, 1927, was known as a loving, kind, delightful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and friend. She passed in Massachusetts on September 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Rosemary's childhood was graced with family. She, her older brother Bob, and their just divorced mother moved into their grandparents' home, where Rosemary's four uncles were also living. It was a small, full house usually filled with laughter. When Rosemary was 13, her mother, Mary, fell in love and married Glennan Thro, moving with Rosemary into a beautiful Victorian on West Lincoln Boulevard. Within a year Rosemary's dream came true, Joe, a beloved baby was born to Mary and Glennan.

A talented singer, Rosemary participated in every high school musical, typically as the lead; she served the WWII war effort working in a Septo processing plant where she and her friends had to wash off the blue powder at day's end; and after high school graduation Rosemary worked at the local insurance company, starting as switchboard operator then was promoted to underwriter.

When Rosemary met Woody … well, that nearly didn't happen. An acquaintance of Rosemary's set her up on a blind date which then Rosemary tried, but failed, to cancel. Their first date was at a concert, and Woody slept through most of it. When Rosemary woke him at the end, he explained he only slept during very good music. They married two years later and moved to Buffalo, New York, where Woody worked his way up to managing editor at the Buffalo Evening News, and Rosemary raised two redheaded daughters. While in Buffalo, Rosemary learned that she had a step-brother, Arch, who came for a visit and stayed in touch. After an early retirement from the News, Rosemary and Woody moved to Reston, Virginia where Woody taught journalists at the American Press Institute. After Woody's second retirement they moved to Sarasota, Florida. By that point, playing golf had become such a large part of their lives that they chose a condo right on a golf course. Upon Woody's passing in 2014, Rosemary moved to Venice, Florida to be closer to Joe, and sister-in-law, Betty. Then, in 2025, Rosemary got the urge for a new adventure and moved to Massachusetts, where many family members live.

Rosemary's personal life was rich. Always the lady, ever a thoughtful hostess, she exuded a quiet generosity, but make no mistake – Rosemary was tiny but mighty and fiercely protective of those she loved and the principles she believed in. She had a great circle of friends who would get together to play bridge, have sewing circle, play golf, or party. She volunteered in various capacities. A member of the local Great Books Discussion Group, Rosemary loved to read, most recently Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation. At the University of Buffalo, Rosemary audited an Intro to Philosophy course, after which the professor privately told her that she received the highest grade in the course. Rosemary's sense of curiosity quickly led her to embrace the enjoyment and usefulness of a personal computer, and she continued emailing, researching, creating photo slideshows with music, and shopping online well into her 90's.

Rosemary and Woody had two children, Ann and Jane; six grandchildren, Ann's children, Rachel, Jessica, Evan, and Caitlin; and Jane's children, Tim and Brian; along with six great-grandchildren, Rachel's son Grant, Jessica's daughter Nina, Tim's children Emily Jane and Lucas, and Brian's daughters, Lillian and Scarlet – all of whom were adored.

Rosemary was a creative and talented story-teller, whose turn of phrase carried just the right hint of wit. Rosemary's shared hundreds of memories with her older daughter, who turned those memories into a six-volume unpublished book: "Rosemary's Memories: A Book of Love."

We share Rosemary's strongest message with you: "The only answer is love." Here's to you, Rosemary!

Due to Rosemary's deep belief that everyone should have the right to higher education, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Rosemary's memory may be made to the Highland Community College Foundation HOPE Fund, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL 61032, or online at www.highland.edu/foundation.com (please note that the donation is intended for the HOPE Fund, dedicated to Rosemary Wardlow).

ARRANGMENTS: Services for Rosemary will take place at a later date. Assisting with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations-Funerals-Celebrations, 167 Maple St. (RT 62), Danvers. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

Highland Community College Foundation HOPE Fund
2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport IL 61032
Web: http://www.highland.edu/foundation