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ROSEMARY PERSA Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for ROSEMARY PERSA
Casey McCarty
December 22, 2013
Praying for your family.
Brenna Argo
December 7, 2013
Rosemary was a mentor, gossip partner, friend, and role model for me personally and professionally. She would always take time out to assist or chat or anything I ever needed. I was never in the inner circle but enjoyed watching the inner circle function...against others...lol! She was a wonderful person and I will miss her very much. She made a mark on us all.
Nancy jones
November 28, 2013
We will miss our sweet neighbor and hold her family up in our prayers. She was a wonderful mother and put up a heroic fight . We will miss her. Jones family and neighbors
Michelle Hyde
November 28, 2013
I met Rosemary 20 some odd years ago at St. Amthony's lab...Loved her form the very start! I moved away and didn't keep track as well as I should have, but I always think of her with a smile...and always with my heels on! She will be greatly missed!
Judy Mitchell
November 27, 2013
Dear Laurel,
You and Julianne are in my thoughts and prayers. Fond memories of both of you in class help me know you are blessed with a loving family.
Someone once said that the most important things you'll ever have will be in your heart. May the memories you've kept tucked away in your heart wrap you in comfort and bring you special peace.
Patty Ennen
November 27, 2013
Rosemary was one of my instructors in Med Tech school at Saint Anthonys, she was such a dynamic, fun person, and a good teacher! She loved talking about her girls and Steve. Even though I didn't see much of her after school, in the circle of med techs, when I would hear about her exploits it would bring a smile to my face. Actually I had more contact with Steve, at his job at OBI, as he gave me help with my blood bank problems. But talking to Steve, I would think of Rosemary and smile.
I will miss her, but know she will be watching her family and friends from heaven.
Patty
Rosie with Family at Award March 2013
Annie Meeks
November 26, 2013
Terry Kramer
November 26, 2013
The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
CS Lewis
I have been blessed to be included in a circle of friendship with Rosemary Persa for over 20 years.
The circle Rosemary, Jan, and myself was always open to including new friends as the years went by and all included knew that having a friend like Rosemary was a once in a lifetime friend. Mrs. Persa was always willing to share her knowledge, creativity, and passion for things that she cared about. Sharing time with Mrs Persa and her family over the years, I have seen how deeply she cares for her family, friends, and beloved 4 legged children. I will miss her quick wit, ‘favorite expressions', giving spirit and long conversations. I am thankful to have been one of the ‘peeps' in her Circle.
I love you Mrs. Persa
Terry (Jerry) Kramer
Pandora Crawford
November 26, 2013
Rosemary was a phenomenal woman who refused to be a victim in any situation. She was beautiful, brilliant, strong and so funny. Oh yea, and that colorful tongue of hers! She really made a mark at OBI and probably everywhere she's ever been.
Your family will remain in my prayers.
Very Sincerely ~ Pandora Crawford
Leni Barros
November 26, 2013
I am a relative newbie to the Rosemary Persa fan club after being introduced to her in fall of 2004 by Susan Schene. Rosemary took care of the rest, giving me fashion tips – Lord knows I needed/need them, calling me Leonard (which by the way, only she could do to me without protest) and keeping me updated on the latest happenings of the girls. Her contact profile picture in my phone is her flipping me off – so apparently I did something she didn't care for at that moment or maybe she just was telling me I was ‘#1' J - the picture ALWAYS made me laugh out loud when it came up on my phone. I loved, loved, loved going down to her office to see the girls' most recent art project or pictures of the girls' parties or hearing about their milestone achievements. I am not sure if there was a prouder mama on earth than Rosemary on how her girls had grown into such amazing and beautiful women inside and out. I loved to hear her talk about how Steve treated all of his girls, Rosemary included, like the princesses they were and how he had set such a high standard for the girls' future husbands.
What I believe will be perpetual tribute to her amazing life is how she could turn an ordinary situation into an extraordinary opportunity. I saw her accomplish that time after time at work and then personally, how she has transformed my life with my involvement with the Heels For Hope Foundation. With abundant grace, courage and style, she inspired someone like me, without any special super powers J, to dream bigger than I have ever imagined, to give more of myself that I have ever given before and to want to be part of a cause much bigger than any individual cause. She was and always will be a constant source of courage, grace, style, humor and inspiration to all who were blessed to called her friend, mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and co-worker. She was my hero, starting in fall of 2004 when I joined the Rosemary Persa fan club, and will continue to be for the rest of my life.
Speaking of heroes, there are so many of them in the Persa and Lee families and her closest friends, too numerous to list. Your families and her amazing longtime friends are such a remarkable role model for how family and friends supports, loves and lifts each other up. Words cannot express how awed I am by your outpouring of love and support for Rosemary, each other and allowing all of us who love her to stay connected and encouraged by your strength and grace. May you always know how much you all are loved and cared for and lean into the support so that we can continue to lift you all up as you have done for us.
Again, thank you for letting me share a few words about the Amazing Mrs. Persa. Words seems inadequate at this time, but hopefully, they will be just another testimony of how she touched my life and the lives of so many.
Love, Leni Burrow
James Smith
November 26, 2013
It is with great sadness that we must share with everyone that our good friend and coworker Rosemary Persa died Saturday morning after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Everyone who knew or worked with Rosemary knew of her determination, both to fight the disease as well as live life to the fullest. She worked for OBI for almost 14 years and was the director of the Immunohematology Reference Laboratories for 5 years. She was instrumental in establishing our Fort Smith Reference Lab, even while undergoing therapy for ovarian cancer. Her legacy will live for years through the many students and technologists she mentored in immunohematology. She will be greatly missed. James W. Smith, MD, PhD. Chief Medical Officer, Oklahoma Blood Institute
Eddie & Alva Johns
November 26, 2013
Our Prayers and Love are with you Julianne and all of the Persa family. Rosemary was a Beautiful Spirit whose greatest work was being an Extraordinary Mother who was always proud of her daughters. Eddie and I promise to always look after your precious Julianne, your future teacher.
Elizabeth Hill
November 26, 2013
Rosemary burst into my life in 2010 when she created the Fort Smith Reference Lab. Wow! What an amazing lady - so smart, so energetic, and so funny! She encouraged me through SBB School. She directed me through some tough antibody ID's over the phone in the middle of the night. All of us here just wanted to make her proud because we admired her so much. I'm missing her and praying for her family and friends.
Julie Nguyen
November 26, 2013
I'm deeply saddened to hear of your loss and I wish I knew the right words to say. Rosemary was a dear friend of mine for many years, she will greatly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Pam Sanfor
November 23, 2013
Dear Emily and all the Persa family,
I hope you don't mind me writing here despite the fact I was never fortunate enough to meet Rosemary. I have been getting to know you Emily, and your mom must have been quite a woman to have raised such an amazing daughter. How lucky you both have been to have had such a close relationship--that is truly a blessing!!! I know all of you will miss her. I wish you strength and peace in the days ahead.
Pam Sanford
Cindy Prince
November 22, 2013
I can't tell you how blessed I feel that I got to share some time with Rosemary during these last 5 years. I loved her dearly and will miss so many things about her. I see her humor & grace in all her daughters and what a great legacy she left. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Heather vonHartitzsch
November 22, 2013
I am keeping your family lifted up in prayers and thoughts during this time. I just want you to know that Rosemary was so much more than a supervisor to me. She was really like a work "Mom". She took us in wholeheartedly and adopted us "Tulsa Kids" in 2008 right before she was diagnosed. She did everything she could for us. I would not have the opportunities that I have had without her and I would not have my specialty certificate without her telling me constantly that I could do it. I will miss her so much, but I know she is in a better place and no longer has to fight cancer!
Praying for peace for you all. Love, Heather vonHartitzsch
Kelly Corley
November 21, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss!! Rosemary was an amazing woman and I really enjoyed working with her at OBI!! I know she will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. All of my thoughts and prayers are with you all!! Sincerly, Kelly Corley, OBI
Julie Hanson
November 20, 2013
Dear Jackie and Family,
You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you during this difficult time. My mom is with her now, making a new friend and making her laugh!
With Love
Jamie Ring
November 18, 2013
Dear Steve, Emily, Laurel and Julieanne,
I want you to know how much my thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mother was a remarkable woman. I have so many fond memories of Rosemary and you girls when you were young. She made me laugh so many times. I loved her sense of humor. She loved every one so much, especially each of you girls and of course Steve. I remember she always had a twinkle in her eye when she spoke of Steve. She was talented in so many ways. I know each of you girls learned so much from her. She was so devoted to all of you. She will truly be missed, but I know the angels in Heaven are all gathered around her. She is at rest and at peace now. I'm sure she has everyone in Heaven smiling and laughing. She was a wonderful blessing to all that new and loved her. Love and prayers, Jamie Ring
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