Firer Rosemary

Rosemary Loretta Kendrick Firer Rosemary Loretta Kendrick Firer passed away peacefully in Silver Spring, MD, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at age 87. Rosemary was born in Chicago, IL, February 9, 1927, the seventh child and fifth daughter of the late Eugene Patrick Kendrick and Marcella Frances Moore Kendrick. She was predeceased in 2012, by her dearly loved husband of 62 years, Donald Paul Firer; and siblings, Helen K. Smith, Marcella Hayne, Ursula K. Cronin, and Eugene P. Kendrick. Rosemary is survived by four dear daughters, Christine Firer Hinze and husband, Brad, of Yonkers, NY, Donna Marie Firer McLaughlin and husband, Brian, of Takoma Park, MD, Jane Elizabeth Firer of Richmond, VA, and Margaret Mary Firer Bishop and husband, Johnny, of Tryon, NC; dear son, Paul Jude Firer and wife, Linda, of Charlottesville, VA; beloved siblings, Jennifer K. Sweiger of Lombard, IL, and William P. Kendrick and wife, Mary, of Park Ridge, IL; cousin, Patricia McDonnell of Downers Grove, IL, who was like a sister to her; dear sister-in-law, Dorothy Reidy of Tucson, AZ; seven cherished grandchildren, Paul Thomas Hinze, Karl Joseph Hinze, Kathleen Kendrick McLaughlin, Amelia Therese McLaughlin, Delaney Elizabeth Firer, Elizabeth Rose Firer, and Caroline Marie Firer; cousins, nieces and nephews across the country; and many dear friends including Rob and Eileen Warner, who also moved to Charlottesville from Detroit in 1971 and were like extended family. Rosemary attended Providence High School and Mundelein College (Loyola), then nursing training at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, receiving her registered nurse's license in 1950. She married, started a family and moved to Detroit, MI in 1954, where she was on staff at Bon Secours Hospital until moving to Charlottesville, VA, in 1971, where she worked as a nurse at the University of Virginia Hospital until retiring in 1991. As a girl she had always wanted to be a nurse; she loved her profession and made many long-lasting friendships through nursing, from classmates in her "Pres" class of '50, to fellow nurses at Bon Secours Hospital and UVA Medical Center. Rosemary enjoyed and took genuine interest in other people, delighting in getting to know about their lives and stories. She loved reading and learning. She relished good conversation, good ideas, good food, and finding a good bargain; she cherished her Irish heritage and her faith; and she especially loved her friends, family, children and grandchildren. Rosemary and Don were members of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Detroit, MI from 1954 until 1971, and parishioners of Holy Comforter Catholic Church in Charlottesville for over 40 years. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2014, St. Patrick's Day eve, at Holy Comforter Catholic Church, 208 East Jefferson Street, Charlottesville, VA, the Reverend Gerald Fogarty, SJ presiding. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family is deeply thankful for the kindness, prayers and support of caregivers, friends and family members near and far. Special thanks to Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Montgomery County for providing Rosemary with loving care and attention over the last two years. She greatly appreciated her visits with staff and volunteers alike. At Rosemary's request, memorial contributions may be made to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Holy Comforter Church soup kitchen, or your charity of choice.