Rosemary Wardlow

Wardlow, Rosemary (Fonken)

BEVERLY, MA - Rosemary (Fonken) Wardlow, born in Freeport, Illinois on July 30, 1927, was known as a loving, kind, delightful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and friend. She passed in Massachusetts on September 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Rosemary's childhood was graced with family. She, her older brother Bob, and their just divorced mother moved into their grandparents' home, where Rosemary's four uncles were also living. It was a small, full house usually filled with laughter. When Rosemary was 13, her mother, Mary, fell in love and married Glennan Thro, moving with Rosemary into a beautiful Victorian on West Lincoln Boulevard. Within a year Rosemary's dream came true, Joe, a beloved baby was born to Mary and Glennan. A talented singer, Rosemary participated in every high school musical, typically as the lead; she served the WWII war effort working in a Septo processing plant where she and her friends had to wash off the blue powder at day's end; and after high school graduation Rosemary worked at the local insurance company, starting as switchboard operator then was promoted to underwriter. When Rosemary met Woody … well, that nearly didn't happen. An acquaintance of Rosemary's set her up on a blind date which then Rosemary tried, but failed, to cancel. Their first date was at a concert, and Woody slept through most of it. When Rosemary woke him at the end, he explained he only slept during very good music. They married two years later and moved to Buffalo, New York, where Woody worked his way up to managing editor at the Buffalo Evening News, and Rosemary raised two redheaded daughters. While in Buffalo, Rosemary learned that she had a step-brother, Arch, who came for a visit and stayed in touch. After an early retirement from the News, Rosemary and Woody moved to Reston, Virginia where Woody taught journalists at the American Press Institute. After Woody's second retirement they moved to Sarasota, Florida. By that point, playing golf had become such a large part of their lives that they chose a condo right on a golf course.