Rosemary Reilly Rutte

Rosemary Reilly Rutte, 92, of Sandy Springs, GA, passed away on September 4, 2022 surrounded by her children. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Duane Rutte, in 2000.

Rosemary lived a long and beautiful life. Born May 5, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI, to Dr. John F. Reilly and Rosemary Hughes Reilly, Rosemary was the second of five children and the only daughter. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she met Duane through her college roommate. Married in 1953, together they raised five children and moved over the years from Green Bay, WI to Holland, IN to Miami Shores, FL. In Miami, she worked as a bookkeeper and later in a college financial aid office. In 1991, she and Duane retired to Atlanta to be near their kids and grandkids. They were active members of the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta where they maintained the parish St. Vincent DePaul pantry for many years. In 2016, she moved to Mount Vernon Towers in Sandy Springs where she enjoyed the company of many new friends.

Rosemary was perpetually upbeat which always made her a pleasure to be around. She preferred that the spotlight be on anyone other than herself and was always asking you about you. She believed that attitude was everything. If you were a teenager in her house, you'd better not be a moody teenager. She believed that on the 8th day, God created the Irish. She looked for the best in people and circumstances and lived her life with gratitude and humility. She delighted in her family and the love was mutual. Her faith was quiet yet unshakable. She was especially devoted to St. Jude Thaddeus whose intercession she credits with getting her through life's trials. She was simply the purest form of a human there ever was.

Rosemary is survived by her five children, Joseph Rutte (Jan), John Rutte (Franziska), Kathleen Schoenblum (Joel), Ann Stanek (Mike), and Mary Gaus (Jim), 8 grandchildren, her brother, Pat Reilly (Jeanette), sisters-in-law Faye Semling and Peg Reilly, as well as many nieces and nephews. Her family would like to thank her long-time physician, Dr. Christine Stoltz, and her friend and neighbor, Fr. John Kieran for sustaining her physically and spiritually for so many years.

A funeral mass and private interment will take place at a later date. If you wish to remember Rosemary, consider a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul society at the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta, GA or a food pantry of your choice.