Rosemary Denkewalter

Anchorage resident Rosemary Ann Denkewalter, 90, died Nov. 5, 2007, at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
A visitation will be from 6:45-9 p.m. Friday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with a vigil at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, followed by a reception in the church hall.
Rosemary was born June 30, 1917, in Chicago, to Rose O'Shea Conley and Charles Conley. She graduated from Providence High School and Mundelein College with degrees in math and physics. After graduating, she married fellow Chicagoan Robert Denkewalter in 1943 and moved to Westfield, N.J., where they raised their family of five children, and she began her lifelong commitment to volunteer work.
Rosemary later received a degree in special education and compassionately taught children with mental retardation and physical disabilities, her family wrote. She owned and operated Brand Travel Agencies of Westfield and Morristown, N.J. "Her love of travel was infectious, and her knowledge of the history and culture of the countries she visited was renowned," her family also wrote. "Rob and Rosemary enthusiastically traveled with their grandchildren on trips that were educational and exhilarating." They lived in Paris for two years while Robert taught after retirement and Rosemary explored. She continued as a travel agent at World Travel in Anchorage.
"Her keen Irish wit and her love of people kept the family home filled with people," her family wrote. "Friends and family were welcomed to their Vermont and Anchorage homes and their visits were a source of great joy and rousing fun to her. Their taste for adventure led Rob and Rosemary to join their sons and relocate in retirement to Anchorage in 1981.
"Rosemary was a tireless volunteer at their parishes and the schools their children attended. Her life of Catholic faith was a powerful example to her family and friends, and her devotion to special saints was well known. She was a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter E, since 1991. Rosemary enjoyed her Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cafe del Mundo with her coffee friends. Her friendships span many generations and countries, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her."
Rosemary is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Robert Denkewalter; daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen Denkewalter and Mike Rayburn of Vancouver, British Columbia; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Geri Denkewalter of Talkeetna; daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Greg Ryberg of Aiken, S.C.; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Mary Kaye Denkewalter of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Gerry Vadnais of Walnut Creek, Calif.; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Matthew and Shirley Rayburn, Christopher and Beth Rayburn, and Robert and Sarah Denkewalter; granddaughters, Christine Denkewalter, Karen Denkewalter and Margaret Denkewalter; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Michael and Rachel Denkewalter; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Amy and Jonathan Doyle; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Kyle and Sara Ryberg; granddaughters, Shana Ryberg, Ingrid Denkewalter and Grethe Denkewalter, grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Terence and Camolin Becker, Adam and Gina Vadnais, and granddaughter, Caitlin Vadnais; great-grandchildren, Gregory Rayburn, Adia Rayburn, Kathryn Denkewalter, Jack Doyle, Chelsea Rose Doyle, William Doyle, Matthew Ryberg, Maren Ryberg, Madeleine Becker, Juliette Becker and Marina Vadnais; sister-in-law, Patricia Kenney Conley; beloved nieces and nephews of the Conley, Walter and Denkewalter families; and many dear friends of New Jersey, Vermont and Alaska, especially Lois Demo, Eileen Currall, Dot Lloyd and Gail Ito.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Charles Conley and Eugene Conley; sister, Betty Walter; and granddaughter, Pia Denkewalter.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School. Family and friends are invited to send condolences online to rosemarydenkewalter.com. Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapels.