Rosemary Pailes

Rosemary Pailes
November 6, 2025
Rosemary Pailes was called home Thursday, November 6, 2025. Rosemary was born, February 28, 1943, to the late Jennie Wildman Domain and Joseph Domain.
If you were to ask Rosemary what was the most important influence in her life, she would say she never had a day when she didn't feel the need to thank GOD for his blessings. Not that every day was great, just that there was always a good side to every day.
As a young girl, she found joy in the outdoors. She loved birds, insects, plants and trees. Hiking, bike riding, ice and roller skating, rowing a boat, fishing, catching frogs and turtles.
She learned how to garden, after asking her grandfather if she could have some of his strawberries. He told her, "if you want strawberries, you should grow your own, then you will never have to ask someone else for some." He gave her plants and showed her how to plant them. She did that and took great pride in her garden and joy in the berries. She was ten years old. It was something she never forgot.
She discovered that her friends and family loved fresh baked cookies. She learned to bake everyone's favorite and soon became known as the cookie girl.
Fresh out of high school, she married; it was 1960, women married and had children. Her first baby was born in June of 1962, her daughter, Theresa, her second child, a son, Raymond, born in August of 1963 and her third baby, a boy, Timothy, born in November 1964.
There was a Rubella (German Measles) epidemic in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1964. Unfortunately, Rosemary contacted it when she was two and a half months pregnant with her son, Timothy. Tim was born profoundly deaf. The doctors at Yale New Haven Hospital recommended that he go to The Mystic Oral in Mystic Connecticut. There he would learn to read lips and speak. The family left Danbury and moved to Mystic. Tim began school at three years old. His progress was remarkable.
At this point, the marriage dissolved. Rosemary found herself alone with three young children, 100 miles from family, in Danbury. She felt she had a job to do, raise the children with the best help for Timothy, earn a living and accept help when offered or needed. This situation enabled her in many new ways, it made her determined and strong. Years later, she met a sailor, Ed Pailes, they became friends and realized that they had a good deal in common. They married in 1974. Nature was once again an enjoyment, now for the entire family. Camping, hiking, every family member was an active scout.
Rosemary took a position as a GS-3 budget clerk, working at the Groton/New London Submarine Base. She took night classes to gain knowledge that would help her advance toward a career. She received her Associates in Science and began working toward her bachelor's degree. At this time, she was promoted to an upward mobility position. She enjoyed working for the Department of Defense as it provided opportunities to advance in her field. Rosemary's last position was as a Comptroller GS-12, working at the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory. She retired in 2001. Ed retired the following year. They moved to King George, VA. To be near her daughter, Theresa, who had married a sailor. In a few years, they were joined by Raymond and family and Timothy. The family was rapidly growing eventually to 17 grandchildren and, later, 12 great-grandchildren.
Rosemary and Ed became members of the Peace Lutheran Church. There they found many ways to serve and made many friends.
Rosemary is survived by her daughter, Theresa Baker (John), son, Raymond Espetitee (Chauntal), son, Timothy Espetitee; stepson, Edward Pailes (Martha); stepdaughter, Christine Gill (Mike); and stepdaughter-in-law, Sonya. Predeceased by stepson, Charles Pailes. She is also survived by brother, Pasquale Domain; and sister, Lucille Wilson. Predeceased by sister, Pitrina Cutler.
The family will receive friends from 10am to 11am on Friday, November 21, at Peace Lutheran Church, 5590 Kings Hwy., King George, VA 22485. A funeral service will begin at 11am, followed by burial at Historyland Memorial Park, 11227 James Madison Parkway, King George.
Donations, in her honor, may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, in King George, VA.