ROSEMARY T. KAENEL

1928 - 2021

Rosemary T. Kaenel (born Rose Mary Murphy) transitioned to eternal life in the wee hours of February 20, 2021, at the glorious age of 92. Rosemary was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 26, 1928, the oldest child of Martin J. Murphy (d. 1988) and Rose Helen O'Connell (d. 1964). She had three younger siblings: Catherine Ann Murphy (d. 2005), Patricia Mary Murphy, (d. 2017), and Martin Joseph Murphy, Jr. (d. 2009). She lived on Maplewood Avenue in Chicago until her parents moved the family to Wheaton, Illinois, in 1942. She attended St. Timothy, then St. Michael, Catholic Schools, Wheaton High, and Immaculate Conception High schools, Rosary College (BS, Home Economics), College of DuPage, and Elgin Community College (RN). She was married in October 1953 to John Joseph Kaenel (b. 1923, d. 2014). She raised six children: Glen, Grace, Bonnie, James, Judy and Joe. She was gifted with 13 grandchildren: Jamie, Andrea, Guy, Danielle, Rose, Nathan, Andrew, Christopher, William, Timothy, Joshua, Dean, and Thomas. She was great-grandmother to 12: Anthony, Thaddeus, Skyler, Seth, Jacob, Aeden, Mackenzie, Moriah, Owen, Kylie, Charlie and Darren. She was an elementary school teacher for thirty years, teaching in Plato Center, West Chicago, and Glendale Heights, Illinois. After retiring from teaching she began her nursing career working at Central DuPage Hospital until she retired for the second time at age 73. She began her third career as a writer producing five novels and numerous short stories including the semi biographical award winning short story "Bertha Dear ... " She was, in the words of her cousin Christine Maddock, "up for anything." She was a devoted wife and mother. She loved the Church and participated fully in church life. Even when her voice wasn't what it used to be, her choir mates loved having her sing with them. She loved children and was a courageous member of the Right to Life movement making numerous pilgrimages to Washington DC. She stuffed envelopes for her political candidates and marched in a few parades, but she practiced the politics of politeness hoping to catch more flies with honey than vinegar. She took her children on vacations every summer visiting all but five states on a teacher's salary. She took her kids, other family members, and friends to Ireland over the course of 35 visits. She visited Rome and Tijuana, Mexico, and floated down the Colorado River with Elderhostle. She took flying lessons and rode on the back of a motorcycle. She scrambled around on her family home's roof which was steep enough to give a mountain goat pause. She earned membership in Mensa. She guided a 4-H club. She made clothes for herself and the family to save money. She did the family's taxes. She was an avid health food cook before health food was even heard of. She liked to exercise. She was a depression baby who single handedly redefined the word thrifty. She preceded all modern environmentalists teaching all her kids the catch phrases "waste not, want not," and "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." She had great affection for neighbors, dentists, doctors, baristas, construction workers, fellow teachers and nurses, students, patients, parishioners and even political opponents. No matter a person's station she treated everyone with a level of decency and respect not often seen in today's world. She was a jewel of a woman who poured herself, without reservation, into everything she did. The world she left behind is a better place because of her. Enjoy your new home mom. God knows you earned it. Visitation Friday, February 26, 2021 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Funeral prayers Saturday, 9:15 a.m. proceeding to 10 a.m. Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment St. Michael Cemetery Wheaton, IL. Info at www.williams-kampp.com or 630-668-0016.