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Rosemary was my aunt, we shared a common career of working with Deaf and Hard -of-Hearing children. So that gave us a special bond. She went into working with the deaf because my Dad John who was her brother was deaf. She was a great teacher who truly cared for her students. I have fond memories of time spent with her at family gatherings when I was growing up in Salem, Oregon. May God bless her and the O'Brien & Hilke Clans.

Liz O'Brien

February 21, 2022 | Liverpool, NY | Family

She was bright, vivacious, and gracious lady with a keen sense of humor. She was always interested in what I was doing. I know she was pleased when I became a teacher of the deaf. We had that special bond between us. She touched the lives of hundreds of deaf students throughout her career in Deaf Education. She reached out to the Deaf Community in Salem through her involvement in their club activities. She was devoted to Celeste and Bobbi always sharing what they were doing. She...

Liz O'Brien

February 03, 2021 | Liverpool, NY | Family

Celeste and Bobbie, Your mother will always be fondly thought of and dearly missed. Kind, smart, humble and beautiful ...just like her daughters.
Love to you both, cousin Jan Walker

March 24, 2012

Dear Celeste and Barb,
On this day when we celebrate gifts of the heart, my mind turns to Aunt Rosemary, whose love was big enough to surround and nurture all of us. She was a diminutive Irish woman of substance, whose grace and gentle spirt will be sorely missed! She validated each of us and was a great teacher of human kindness; may we all retain something of what she taught us. Love to you both.

Rose O'Brien-Ochs

February 14, 2012 | Shoreline, WA

Rosemary was one of the most brilliant, outstanding teachers during my WSD time in the early 1960's. I had lots of good memories with her; she and her closest friend, Mrs. Lemcke (my teacher) would do lots of fun activities (fieldtrips) for their two 1st grade classes. The school program was oralism back then; she would secretly sign if needed. The highlighted part at the WSDAA Big Reunion in 2006 was that she came to see her former students! I felt much honored being able to interview...

Carey Price

February 12, 2012 | Vancouver, WA

Rosemary held a special place while teaching primary children at WSD, her continuous smile was a joy to behold. She touched many lives.

Patty Graham/Turpin

February 11, 2012 | Longview, WA

I knew her at Washington School for the Deaf where she taught as primary teacher. She taught deaf students include me how to make music with small bells with different colors. She obviously loved music. She always smiled at us. I had good memories with her at Washington School for the Deaf. Also I know her more thru Washington School for the Deaf Alumni Association newsletter. WSDAA newsletter had article about her life. I send deeply sympathy to her family and friends.

Pamela Randol

February 10, 2012 | Vancouver, WA

Bobbie and Celeste, It has taken quite a few days for me to write this, because I am so sad Aunt Rosemary is no longer going to be on the other line to talk to. We had wonderful times together. She was so interested and interesting! Politics, family stuff, what book you just read...she was always wondering and positive.

Janie O'Brien

February 06, 2012 | Shoreline, WA

Rosemary my friend, my heart skipped a beat_when I heard the news today.You will be sadly missed.Such a kind,caring,compassion women.Thanks for being an inspiration in my life.If Glory could be her name! I love you too! Robin

Robin Selvey

February 05, 2012 | Neoga, IL

Rosemary's Obituary

NEOGA, IL – Rosemary Edlund,age 94, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at her Heartland ChristianVillage home in Neoga. Rosemary was bornJune 16, 1917 in Delmar, Iowa the youngest daughter of John Patrick and RoseGenevieve (McAndrew) O'Brien. She wasone of six children, having four brothers and one sister, all who preceded herin death. In 1945 she moved to Salem,Oregon where she met and married Harold D. Hilke (now deceased) of Scotts Mills,Oregon in 1948. Following thirty-oneyears of marriage, she then married Loren "Eddie" Edlund of Salem in 1982. They shared fourteen wonderful years prior tohis death in 1996.

Rosemary is survived by hertwo daughters, Celeste Alejo and husband Rudy of Ewa Beach, Hawaii and Barbara"Bobbie" Hilke of Charleston, Illinois; three grandchildren, Patrick Alejo andwife Malu, Paul Alejo, and Joy Telles and her husband Edward Alika – theparents of her two great-grandsons, Edward Alika, Jr. and Ethan Makana, all ofHawaii. Rosemary remained especiallyclose to her Oregon-based "O'Brien" nieces and nephews as well as herIowa-based "Kane" nieces and nephews.

Rosemary received herBachelors and Masters Degrees from Lewis & Clark College in Portland,Oregon. Her thirty-six year career as ateacher of the Deaf took her to State Schools for the Deaf in Iowa, North andSouth Dakota, Indiana, Oregon and Washington. In 1979 she retired following twenty-six years with the Washington StateSchool for the Deaf in Vancouver, Washington. She relocated to Illinois in 2007 to be near family.

Rosemary was a devoted andactive member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Salem, Oregon whereshe was a member of the Altar Society, St. Bernadette's Circle and their "HappyHearts" group. She was also a member ofthe "Fraidy Cat" swimmers of the Salem YWCA. Rosemary loved her Church, her family, the Deaf Community, and the factthat she was 100 percent Irish.

Arrangements have beenentrusted to Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston in conjunction with BollmanFuneral Home in Dallas, Oregon. Inaccordance with her wishes her earthly body will be cremated. A Graveside Service and Inurnment is plannedfor the second Friday in August (August 10, 2012) at 2:00 p.m. at the BelcrestMemorial Park in Salem, Oregon. Therewill be no services locally. Memorialgifts in her honor may be made to the Heartland Christian Village Auxiliary inNeoga or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Gifts may be mailed in care of Adams FuneralChapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.

Rosemary Edlund

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