Rosemary Harris Pasek

In the early hours of January 30, Rosemary Harris Pasek, passed peacefully at 101 years old at her home at Asbury Methodist Village. Her granddaughter Robin Lenz was at her side. Although she had declined a bit in these last few years, she was quite the perky 100+ year old almost to her very last day. She thoroughly enjoyed all the Christmas festivities with Loraine’s entire family. Pam and Bob spent some great time with her just a few weeks ago. And Philip and Kris kept her amused regularly via FaceTime. Philip also provided a regular supply of chocolates, via Amazon, which made her VERY happy.

Her last days were peaceful, and surrounded by her children and spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Those who weren’t able to visit in person, were able to say goodbye on the phone. We couldn’t be happier that she was able to pass quickly and without discomfort. She regularly let us know, usually with a giggle, that she was more than ready to “get out of here.”

We all are most appreciative and thankful that Robin asked to be with her in her final days. Robin jumped into action last Wednesday, the first day help was needed. She stayed with her “Graggy” night and day until she took her last breath. Robin’s amazing caregiving skills and her nurturing demeanor gave our entire family reassurance and comfort. Many thanks to Robin for this gift to our family.

Born July 10, 1921 at Homeopathic Hospital in Washington DC, she certainly witnessed dramatic world events, massive changes in social norms, technology and more. She avidly read The Washington Post, and was dedicated to solving the crossword puzzle almost to her very last day.

Her family moved to Bethesda in 1927, which was home for most of her years. She attended Bethesda Elementary School, Leland Junior High School, and Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, graduating in 1938. She spent one year at Chevy Chase Junior College, then one year at Beaver College in Jenkintown, PA, and even spent time at Temple Secretarial School in Washington.

In 1941 she worked at the British Air Commission where she met our father, John A. Parish. As newlyweds, they lived in Dayton, Ohio before settling back in Bethesda to raise their family.

She enjoyed a lifetime of volunteering including PTA, Brownie Scout Leader, Red Cross Grey Lady at Bethesda Naval Hospital before moving to South Miami, Florida in 1958 continuing to volunteer with PTA duties and the Red Cross. In Florida she enjoyed membership in the Coco Plum Women’s Club and was also an active member of South Miami Methodist Church.

Moving back to Bethesda in 1963, she was active in the Woman’s Society of St. Andrews Methodist Church, running the Antique Show as well as the Bridge Marathon. At Sibley Memorial Hospital, she held positions of VolunTeen Chairman, Treasurer and President.

In 1975, Leonard Pasek came into her life. As she wrote in a paper she called MY LIFE, “June 21, 1975 married Leonard E. Pasek and lived happily ever after!” That was followed by “And then there were all those marvelous grandchildren and in-laws and step children.”

For over 20 years, she and Leonard traveled the world, played golf, socialized and enjoyed spending half their time at their home in Mariner Sands, Stuart, Florida.

Rosemary was a list maker and a documenter, totally embracing jumping into the computer era. Over time she wrote a series of short essays she called “Life in the Olden Days” where she described things like Laundry, Before Air-Conditioning, Games We Played, Before Television, Writing Pens and much more.

She also generated assorted lists such as Countries (40) and States (42) visited; Airports (148); Golf Courses Played (179) and Beds Leonard and I Have Slept In (395).

Warren G. Harding was president when she was born and although she didn’t list them, she lived under a total of 20 US Presidents in her lifetime.

Certainly it was a long life, well lived. She is survived by three children, Pamela Carter and her husband Bob, Loraine Koepenick, Philip Parish and his wife, Kris Lavandero. Also, five grandchildren, Amanda McCrory, Curtis Koepenick, Heidi McMillian, Robin Lenz, Courtney McCrory and four step-grandchildren, Courtney DeWeese, Brooke Logan, Garrett Carter and Ashley Kretchman. She also leaves 17 great grandchildren. She is additionally survived by her brother and sister in law, Donald and Dot Harris as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Family was everything to Rosemary. She often spoke of her remarkable extended family, filled with loving relationships between aunts, uncles, cousins, distant cousins and many more friends who we consider family.

For sixteen years Rosemary lived at Asbury Methodist Village, the last four years at Kindley Assisted Living. Our family is most appreciative of the care she received during her time at Kindley, especially during the years of Covid quarantine. Should you wish to remember Rosemary with a gift to the Asbury Benevolent Fund https://www.asbury.org/foundation/, our family would be most thankful.