Rosemary Jayne PARISH

ROSEMARY JAYNE PARISH March 11, 1952 - June 21, 2022 Rosemary was a creator of worlds. From the garden oasis at her Ajax home, to the colourful and intricate landscapes of her paintings, dioramas, and quilts, the trips and adventures she planned with her husband, sisters, children, and grandchildren, and the many interconnected worlds of family and friendship, her cosmic force was undeniable. She always challenged herself to go farther, be better, learn more. Both a cook and a baker, an artist and an athlete, she was an inspiration and an example to those around her. Painting, sketching, knitting, sewing, Rose was always creating, and her love of the arts lives on in her adoring grandchildren. She was a prolific quilt maker and many of her works adorn the bedrooms and living rooms of the family and friends she gifted them to. In quilting, as in life, she thrived on the act of bringing together; in her presence we were always greater than the sum of our parts. Rosemary was a teacher both by nature and profession. Even years after retirement former students would recognize her at the grocery store or in the neighbourhood. They were always glad for the chance to thank her, and she treasured these happenstance opportunities to catch up with former students whose lives and personalities she remembered so vividly. Like "The Rose" Bette Midler sang about, Rosemary was a beautiful soul - the seed beneath the snow - whose presence drew us through hard times and into renewal with her unfailing humor, kindness, and love. She had joie de vivre that was contagious, and at 70 years of age, a long and still growing list of "best friends". To be in her kitchen was to experience the fullness of life; children playing, friends reminiscing, politics debating, soup simmering. Through food, laughter, and love she drew us together time and again for Christmas, birthdays, or just the simple joy of being with one another. An avid reader and once aspiring fiction writer, as a young woman she excelled at competitive gymnastics and netball. In her 30s she challenged herself to run the Ottawa marathon. In the summer of her 51st year she cycled over the Rocky Mountains with her husband Steve. At seventy she was still moving gracefully through the forests of Southern Ontario on skis, skates, and foot. Rosemary died just after midnight of June 21, 2022, after a short but fierce battle with cancer. Her passing marks an almost unspeakable loss to her husband of 50 years, Steve; her three children, Jessica, Sarah and Joe, and their spouses Michael and Liz; four grandchildren Madelynn, Kenzie, Chloe, and Abigail; sisters and brothers, Lisa, Tina, Andy, Leslie, Pat, and Mike; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Julia, Blair, Dave, Bill, Andrea, Chris, Nadine, Jill, Steve, Joe, Jill, Cindy and Shelley; dear friends, Rocket, Tom, Candy and many others. A small private gathering to celebrate and remember Rosemary's life will be held at her family home in Ajax on July 2. The family extends much gratitude to all the friends and relatives helping us through this difficult time. A very special thank you to Dr. Romas Stas and the kind and compassionate staff at the Ajax Pickering Hospital who cared for her so well in her last days. In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation.