Rosemary E Steichen

Rosemary (Van Hee) Steichen passed away on May 1st at home with her family in Albuquerque, NM. With only minimal symptoms, Rosemary was diagnosed mid-November with a rare and aggressive lymphoma. She was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and passed just 5 months later.

Rosemary is survived and missed by her husband of 57 years, Richard Steichen, and daughters, Jane (John) Lewis and Carol (Alexander) Hanuska. She will be forever cherished and remembered by her six grandchildren-Tatum, Anna, Pierce, Luke, Parker and Mia-and her sister, Joan Van Hee.

Rosemary graduated from St Joseph High School in Shawnee, KS in 1964 and the University of Missouri in 1968, with a degree in Medical Technology. She worked as a Medical Technologist for 25 years. Also in 1968, she married Richard Steichen. They started their family in Lawrence, KS, moving to Kansas City, MO before settling for 20 years in Akron, OH. Rosemary lived for several years in Melbourne, Australia and returned to Akron, OH before finally arriving in Albuquerque, NM in 2001.

No matter where she lived, Rosemary focused on giving back to her community. While in Akron, she held lead roles in organizing the Akron Children's Hospital Holiday Tree Festival, raising millions over the years for medical research, education, and patient care programs. After moving to Albuquerque, she championed a similar event for the Carrie-Tingley Children's Hospital Foundation which continued for many years. Recently, Rosemary enjoyed making a difference by volunteering at a local Albuquerque nonprofit, Saranam, helping families exit poverty and homelessness permanently.

In Melbourne, Australia, Rosemary joined the American Women's Club, focusing on helping families adjust to living so far from home. Addressing the frequent issue that "things are so different here," Rosemary promoted "cherishing the differences... otherwise it wouldn't be a new experience." She touched many people with her open and welcoming approach.

Rosemary had many interests and loved meeting up with her friends to play golf, bridge, and mahjong; discuss book club readings; and drink wine. All of these friends, neighbors, and acquaintances provided overwhelming support during her treatment. Rosemary felt surrounded in spirit and filled with love from all those who helped with rides, food, letters, texts, thoughts, and prayers. She frequently commented teary-eyed, "what wonderful and amazing friends we have!" Yes, we do!! ... and we will all miss Rosemary's welcoming smile!

Most importantly, Rosemary was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. Despite being far away from her grandchildren, she never missed their important milestones-always supporting and cheering them on! She organized numerous family celebrations and vacations filled with love and laughter. The wonderful memories of these times together are priceless. She also managed to perfect her famous "Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies" recipe... with the most important ingredient being her love.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elsie Van Hee, and her sister, Sister Maria Van Hee.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, May 30th at 1:00 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM. A rosary will be said before Mass at 12:30. A Celebration of Life will follow immediately (3:00 PM) at The Canyon Club, 911 Four Hills Rd SE, Albuquerque, NM.

In lieu of flowers, Rosemary has requested that donations be made to Saranam, a local Albuquerque charity working to end generational homelessness: www.saranamabq.org