Rosemary C. Maher

Although it may be a sad occasion for family and friends, a joyous celebration begins with the passing of Rosemary C. Maher, aged 98.

Rosemary Kalinowsi was born in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota on April 25th, 1921. She was an accomplished woman. After graduating from the college of St Catherine in St. Paul Minnesota she enlisted in the Army (WAC, WAAC) to serve our nation during the Second World War. As a pioneer in the field of physical therapy, she helped rehabilitate countless wounded warriors in Richmond, Virginia and Battle Creek, Michigan. Following the end of the war, she resigned her commission in 1946.

That same year she met and married the love of her life James J. Maher, an Air Force Lt. Colonel. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Rosemary continued her career in physical therapy in Chicago Illinois, retiring in 1983. With the passing of her husband in 1985, she moved with her son Tony to Graham, North Carolina to be near her daughter and son’s families.

She became a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Burlington, where she quickly made friends and joined in many church organizations. Rosemary was a member of the Christian Hearts and Hands, the Original Teresians, a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Rosary Leader. She was also an active Money counter with the church until she retired from that activity in 2018. Outside of her church activities she was an avid quilter, and the queen mother of the local Red Hat Ladies Chapter.

In April of 2017, Rosemary moved from her home in Graham to the Home Place of Alamance where she found additional friends and family. These new friends were quickly drawn to her joy of life and eternal optimism. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Services will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1620 Hanford Road in Graham, North Carolina on Wednesday September 11th. Visitation will be from 10 to 11am with Mass and interment following.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosemary C. Maher, please visit our floral store.