Kathryn Rosmarino
Kathryn (“Kat”) A. Rosmarino, 82, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 21, the winter solstice, with her daughters by her side. Kathryn lived in the Raleigh area for the past 28 years. She grew up in Otisco, New York in a large family. She had fond memories of life growing up on the farm.
She studied at LeMoyne College, with plans to become a nun. She was married to her former spouse John Rosmarino for 30 years, and they raised five daughters in Cazenovia, New York. Her five girls were the greatest pride of her life. She loved being a mother. Up until the end of her long life she would ask how her daughters were, even when she was enduring hardship.
Her daughters and their families will miss her dearly: Gina Jennings of Raleigh, NC, Denise Searle and her husband, James, of Black Mountain, NC, Bettina Rosmarino of Palms Springs, CA, Claudine Wispelwey and her husband, Nicholas, of Charlottesville, VA, and Nicole Rosmarino and her husband, Jay Tutchton, of Centennial, CO. Kathryn treasured her grandchildren: Thaddeus and Oliver Searle and Garrett and Lucy Wispelwey.
Kathryn was profoundly loving, compassionate, and charitable. She never hesitated to donate to individuals and organizations in need. She was also active in politics, pressing for what was just. She loved gardening, cooking, baking, and hand-written letters telling you she loved you.
She worked at Syracuse University for many years, putting each of her daughters through collegeand herself earning a degree in psychology. Kathryn was a life-long learner: a voracious reader, it wasn’t uncommon for her to be reading five books at once.
She was known for her constant smile and humor and desire to help others. She made friends easily and laughed with everyone right up until the end.
In addition to her daughters, Kathryn is survived by her sister, Marie Anne McDonough of Camillus, NY, her brother Patrick McDonough (Lori) of Marietta, NY, her brother Francis McDonough (CeCe) of Lafayette, NY, her close friend, Darlene Rosmarino of Frederick, MD, and many loving nieces and nephews. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, John Miles and Roberta McDonough, and brothers Michael, Paul, Robert, and John McDonough.
A celebration of life will take place in the spring of 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charities she loved to support: Oswit Land Trust, Southern Plains Land Trust, and SPCA of Wake County. The family is thankful to the staff at Duke Raleigh Hospital for their excellent care.