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Rosemary Curtin Obituary
A native and lifelong resident of Phoebus, she was a 1943 graduate of Hampton High School. Rosemary was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Ladies of St. Joseph and was once Churchwoman of the Year.
She was born on Nov. 8, 1924, and was one of seven children to P.A. Fuller, proprietor of Fuller's Restaurant and Hotel, and Helen Grace Ruth.
During World War II, she worked as a civilian clerk typist at Fort Monroe. Following the war, she married Robert J. Curtin in 1947. They were married for more than 55 years before his death in 2003.
An avid swimmer, Rosemary was an American Red Cross water safety instructor and taught swimming lessons to the young and old at the Chamberlin Hotel and Fort Monroe Officer Club pools for more than three decades. She was a renowned candy maker and once won a Blue Ribbon at the Virginia State Fair for her chocolate fudge. She also volunteered for various charitable and social activities with Saint Mary's Star of the Sea School and St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Rosemary is survived by her sons, Robert J. Curtin Jr. of Hampton, Joseph G. Curtin of Woodbridge, Thomas F. Curtin of Newport News, and Philip G. Curtin of Virginia Beach; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with interment to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m., with a Christian Wake service to begin at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary contributions be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rosemary Curtin
D. Luis Otero
January 27, 2010
Rosemary Curtin was a vibrant, beautiful woman with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of comedy (she and her sister, Phyllis, made a great team in that aspect.)
My first encounter with Rosemary dated from the early 1960s when she was my Red Cross swimming instructor at the Chamberlin Hotel and the Fort Monroe YMCA. (She was a stunning beauty then, and remained so during her entire life.)
Over the years, through Fuller's Hotel and Restaurant, Saint Joseph's Church, and the Phoebus Improvement League, our friendship developed, providing many occasions that leave me with warm memories. Bob and Rosemary were always welcome guests at parties in my home... they both brought a genuine intellect and humor to every conversation.
I will always fondly recall Rosemary with her perpetual smile, her concern for others, her pious devotion, her ability to find humor everywhere, and her unwavering optimism. I will miss her deeply.
I offer my most sincere condolences and prayers for her family and her many dear friends.
January 25, 2010
There is no grief which time does not lessen and soften.My name is Edward Herbert I am a distant relative. I knew Bob and Rosemary in their youth .It was my pleasure and good fortune
Edward Herbert
27 Buena Vista Rd.
Arlington Ma.02476
Tom and Carolyn Morris
January 7, 2010
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Bob and Rosemary were great neighbors. Knowing them brightened our lives.
katie curtin
January 6, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Frank Wheeler
January 6, 2010
Dear Joe and the Curtin Family,
Rochelle' and I extend our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mother and Grandmother. Her life was clearly one well-lived, and I know you miss her. Your wonderful family is a large part of the legacy of love and joy that she leaves.
Sincerely,
Frank and Rochelle' Wheeler
Chris Kraft
January 6, 2010
Rosemary was a woderful human being that we loved dearly. We grew up together and shared many wonderful experinces. We will all meet and renew our love for each other in the no too distant future. Mat God rest her soul.
Betty Anne and Chris Kraft
Claude Bowen
January 6, 2010
To the Curtin Family,
I was saddened to hear of Mrs. Curtin's passing. I remember her fondly from when I attended St. Mary's back in the 70's. My prayers for all of you.
Christi Medice
January 6, 2010
Bobby, I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Brian Mays
January 5, 2010
Joe,
Our prayers are with you and your whole family. Your Mom is now in a place that has no pain or suffering and is being held in the loving arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As I've listened to you describe your Mom, she was obviously a wonderful woman who loved the Lord and her family. Take care my friend.
Brian Mays (Ashburn, VA)
Brittany Bermes
January 5, 2010
Joe and family- I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. May your many wonderful memories of her bring you comfort; she will never be forgotten a spirit is without end, eternal.
Marion Sartor
January 5, 2010
To the Curtin Family,
Words cannot express how sorry I am for the loss of your mother & grandmother.. I wanted to Thank You for giving me the opportunity to be with her these past 6 years. The time we shared together was so special and the memories I have with her will FOREVER be near & dear to my heart....She not only was my Great- Aunt, she was my Friend. I love you Aunt Rosemary, may your beautiful soul watch over all of us..
Love Always,
Marion
January 5, 2010
Rosemary was one of the sweetest and kindest ladies that I have ever known. She will truly be missed by all of us in Phoebus, and we will miss her wonderful smiling face. She taught my oldest son swimming lessons at Ft. Monroe many years ago, and she was great at that, and very patient with them. May God be with all of her family, as I know they meant so very much to her.
Sandy (Brown) Anderson
Hampton
James Ford
January 5, 2010
Joe and the Curtain Family:
My condolences are with you on the loss of your loved one. May you find strength in our comforting God during your period of readjustment.
Dale Bliss
January 5, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Elaine Poe
January 5, 2010
To the Curtin Family:
Sorry to hear about Ms. Curtin. She was a beautiful lady inside & out with a beautiful spirit. She was kind to everyone. She was a great person to work for. May God Bless You and the Family.
Elaine Poe and Family
January 5, 2010
Tom, Stephaine, Jack,Julie and the Curtin Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May you all hold onto the good times, use the lessons learned and feel all the love that your mother, mother-in-law and grandmother felt for you all. We did not know her personally, but with Stephanie's stories one would feel they did. Find comfort in God and take one day at a time.
Bless you all,
The Madison's
Laurie Angell
January 5, 2010
Tom, Stephanie, Jack, Julie,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Laurie, Jimmy & Danielle Angell
Denise and DJ McCann
January 5, 2010
Joe and Your Family, our prayers are with you all at this time of loss. What and incrediable woman and be encouraged as you remember the love, care and compassion your Mom and Rosemary demonstrated for all who knew her. Recall the promises, hope and new beginnings for all His children.
Vi and Paul Sulzberger
January 5, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Cheryl Long
January 5, 2010
Dear Tom, and Curtin Family,
Your Mom was such dear sweet lady.She always reminded me so much of my mother. All her wonderful& cute stories she would share with us.She will be truly missed by our family.
You're in our thoughts & prayers.
January 4, 2010
Joe and Family,
Sorry to hear about your Mom, she was a great lady and like a second Mom to us all. I'll always remember how we teased about "Rosemary and Margaret", now there enjoying Heaven together. Out thoughts are with you and your Family... Joey Maben & Family
Owens Family
January 4, 2010
Dear Tom and Stephanie,Jack and Julie
We know this is a difficult time for all of you, Mrs. Curtin was the center of your life for so long. Tom, she loved you dearly and she was so proud of you, we can hear her calling you "Thomas".
Steph, Rosemary loved you very much and you were a good daughter in law to her, almost like a daughter actually. You both took quite alot of time with her, helping out at her house and bringing her to your house for Christmas and other occasions and it meant so much to her. I loved talking to her while she was staying with you, she was truly a jewel. The wonderful times we spent at the Curtin home in Hampton on July 4th,Birthdays,
Baby Showers were so special and she made us feel at home and loved. She was a wonderful cook and gracious hostess. She was very proud that she had raised four wonderful young sons who were so good to her and she loved each of you dearly. The memories you
have will carry you through these difficult times. May God Bless you and help each of you. If there is anything we can do, please call.
Love ya
Alice and Jimmy
January 4, 2010
Dear Joe and the Curtin family: What a truly extraordinary lady Ms. Rosemary was and is for all eternity! My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you spend these next days remembering her caring, loving life and wishing her farewell. As long as she is in your heart, she will never really be far away. Becky Wriggle
January 4, 2010
Dear Bob and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you:) I will always remember how much fun your mother was and all the silliness we shared on Women's Retreat at Holy Family,(when the Priests weren't lookin'!) your mom was so funny and always . . . a beauty. She loved a good joke and was always telling some funny story. I did her hair once also, a long time ago when I was a girl working at the French Room Salon on King Street. Always take comfort in knowing that she now resides with the Angels and . . . . . . . The Lord.
God Bless You,
Diana Marshall Hall and Edward
Mike & Roxann Gabany
January 4, 2010
Accept our condolences and cherish your memories.
January 4, 2010
Bobby,
Just wanted to say you're in my thoughts and prayers during this tough time.
Eddie Sullivan
Charles Smith
January 4, 2010
Joe:
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of your mother. May the strength of God be the support you and your family need at this time, and may her loving memories comfort and keep you in years to come.
Randy Biggs
January 4, 2010
Joe,
I was sorry to hear about your mom when I got back to the office. Know that all of us here at MPRI send our condolences. You're in my prayers my friend.
Randy
Yancey Hall
January 4, 2010
My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the Curtin family.
Chris Clarke
January 4, 2010
Dear Joe and the Curtin Family,
I'm sorry for your loss. Your mother sounded like a fine woman from her obituary. May she rest in peace.
January 4, 2010
Joe:
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time
Debi
Joel Bennett
January 4, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Alice Owens
January 4, 2010
Dear Joe,Tom, Phil, Bobby, and family.
Today we have your whole family in our thoughts and prayers, Rosemary was such a Special True Southern Lady that made us laugh and feel loved and welcome at your home. We will carry those memories of the July 4th celebrations, The Birthday celebrations, Steph's baby showers and all the fun times there forever. She taught us a cute song, told us all about Buckroe Beach when she was young, and all about her family. She just had a way about her , like our mom , that made us feel loved.My children thought it was so wonderful how she cooked for so many people on Thanksgiving. Cooking for days and days and telling her sons to invite anyone to her home for Thanksgiving that did not have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving, she did not care if she did not know them, the wanted them to have a place to eat and feel welcome.
That is the way I have heard that Fuller's restaurant was too, Feed everyone. It reminds you of the stories in the Bible, how the Lord fed
so many and loved them.
Rosemary taught my sisters, my daughter, my neice and I a special song that she sang when she was young and we have never forgotten that song after all these years.In fact, when wer are together we sing it to each other and laugh, then we talk about how special your Rosemary was. When my sister Linda and I and dad went to see Rosemary in
St. Francis a while back, we prayed for her and we prayed that God would not let her be in any pain. Later on my sister and I thought about her little song.
I like myself, I think I'm grand
I go to the show and I hold my hand
I wrap my arm around my waist
And when I get fresh I just slap my face.
Her stories of her candy making, and how much she loved teaching people to swim and her love of playing golf, and how she loved her church and her faith.
The stories of all the fun things she and her brothers and sisters did while growing up in Hampton were so amusing and showed us the love they had for each other and the love that was in the Fuller Family, and the stories of Fullers Restaurant that meant so much to her.
You were truly blessed with a gracious
mother and your memories will help you through this difficult time and the Lord will carry you through each and every day.
God saw her growing tired
And cure was not to be.
So he wrapped his arms around her
And whispered "Come with Me"
A golden heart stopped beating
A peaceful face to rest.
God broke so many hearts to prove
"HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST"
God Bless you Rosemary, you were very special, thank you for all of your love and kindness to us.
Love and Prayers
Alice Belvin Owens
Linda Belvin Jones
Alice Owens
January 4, 2010
Dear Jack and Julie,
I know this is a hard time for both of you, but you know how much Grandmommie Curtin loved both of you, and how much you meant to her. Remember the fun times at her house and the fun times when she came to your house to stay for Easter, Mother's Day and especially Christmas. Rembember the songs she taught you, and all her wonderul stories. She loved to take all the grandchildren and other little children out on the dock at her house in Hampton to sit ont he dock.
She is now your guardian angel in heaven watching over you along with your Grandmommie Susie Belvin.
I love you both very much and your grandmommie loved you very much and she was very proud of both of you and your mom and dad.
Love,
Aunt Alice
Alice and Jimmy Owens
January 4, 2010
Dear Tom, Steph, Jack and Julie,
I know this is a very difficult time for all of you, but remember that she is not suffering anymore and she is at peace and in heaven with Bob, Phyllis, Phil,Jack and her other family members that she loved so dearly. I know this Christmas was very hard for you because it was the first Christmas since Bob has been gone that you did not have Rosemary with you at you house for the week, those visits meant so much to her and to all of you as well. She was truly a precious person and so loving and giving. She was so wonderful to our family at all the fun gatherings at the Curtin home in Hampton. Rosemary and Bob always made us feel at home. In many many ways whe reminded me so much of our mom, so loving and giving and doing everything for everyone who came to her home to make them feel comfortable and welcome.
Tom, your mom loved you dearly and Steph, she loved you too, and her love for Jack and Julia was unmeasurable and you were all so good to her. We always loved to hear Rosemary call out for "Thomas" when we were down there for July 4th fireworks at Ft. Monroe. She is now watching over all of you each and every day. Remember the good times and all the fun things she did with you ,the things she taught you and most of all the love she had for you and the love she had for her Lord and Savior. I will always remember her special song and her stories of her family, and all the stories of Buckroe Beach, the dancing and the stories of Hampton. Memories are special gifts from God that are worth more than Gold, and you truly are blessed with wonderful memories. Our faith in God takes us through one day at a time. May the Lord keep you in his loving care.
God Bless
Elaine Poe
January 4, 2010
To The Family of Ms. Curtin:
Sorry to hear about Ms. Curtin. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. She had a beautiful personality and was always kind to everyone. May God Bless You and Your Family.
Elaine Poe and Family
Sarah Curtin-Sole
January 4, 2010
Goodbye to the most beautiful woman inside and out! Thank you for the swimming lessons, fudge, crabbing, and good times. Love you always Curt.
Pam Hale Johnson
January 4, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Curtin and Fuller families. Rosemary was a lovely lady.
Pam Hale Johnson
Terrie Hale Viars
Joan Pierce
January 4, 2010
A delightful lady has graced many of our lives-May She Rest In Peace with Her Savior! Though I have moved away from Hampton, I take the wonderful memory of Rosemary and her wonderful smile and style with me in my heart. My prayers for all of You, Rosemary's family.
January 4, 2010
Rest in peace, Rosemary. Sincerely, Beverly Lehman
Traci Ratliff
January 4, 2010
Tom, Stephanie& Curtain family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was such a neat lady. I always enjoyed going to her house for family gatherings and listening to the funny stories she would tell about her childhood. Most of all I loved that song she would sing. I hope you hold on to all the wonderful memories that you have and know that she is in a wonderful place now with your dad.
Traci Ratliff
Doogie Earhart
January 4, 2010
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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