Gertrude Rowsemitt

1917 ~ 2012 Gertrude Rowsemitt died peacefully Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Bella Vista Transitional Care Center in San Luis Obispo. She was born in Whitman, Mass., in October 1917, one of six children of Morris and Sophie Shack. After graduation from high school with a straight A average, she worked in the Unemployment Office for the State of Massachusetts. During World War II, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and worked in Naval Intelligence. While she was stationed in Norfolk, Va., she met the love of her life, Naval Officer Aaron "Andy" Rowsemitt. They married after the War and began their married life in Peabody, Mass. They soon moved to Rockland, Mass., where they spent 30 years running Shack''s Cleaners and Tailors. Gert worked in the store and concentrated on raising their two daughters, June and Carol. She was a very involved mother and worked with the Girl Scouts and other activities of her daughters. In 1980, Gert and Andy retired and moved to Oceanside, Calif., to be nearer their daughter, June, son-in-law Bernie and two grandsons, Mike and David Wasserman. She enjoyed retirement and tried new activities such as tennis and ceramics. She and Andy joined other retirees and traveled extensively in their motor home, having traveled the country as far as Alaska and Mexico. They made frequent trips to Ridgecrest, Calif., so they could participate in their grandsons'' activities. In 2001, she and Andy moved to San Luis Obispo, so they could be close to their daughter, Carol, son-in-law, Bill and granddaughter, Rachel. After the death of her beloved husband in 2008, she continued to live in San Luis Obispo until 2012, when she moved to Ridgecrest to live in High Desert Haven, an assisted living center. Right away, Gert became involved in their activities and enjoyed her time there. Unfortunately, two hospitalizations led to her needing more care, so she returned to San Luis Obispo to Bella Vista. Throughout her life, she had been an avid reader, gardener and a lover of card games, especially bridge. Summer days at the beach, trips to Boston for theater and shopping, and weeklong summer vacations provide enduring memories for her family. She charmed and was charmed by young children. Her grandchildren were, of course, the apple of her eye. Her daughters cannot imagine a better, more loving, insightful mother. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she focused her life on her family. She will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends. Gert is survived by her daughters, June Wasserman (Bernard) of Ridgecrest and Carol Rowsemitt of San Luis Obispo; grandchildren Michael Wasserman of Redwood City, Calif.; David Wasserman (Kim) of San Diego, Calif.; Rachel Epstein of San Luis Obispo and New York City; and great-grandson, Aaron Wasserman of San Diego. She is also survived by her "adopted" daughter, Ruth Wasserman of Carlsbad, Calif. Gert was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron; and son-in-law, William Epstein. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2012, at the Laguna Lake Clubhouse Annex, 1801 Prefumo Canyon Road in San Luis Obispo. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Partners of the Central Coast or the American Heart Association.