Rosemary Connell

She was preceded in death by her husband, soulmate, and best friend, Phil Connell. She often wondered what she could have possibly done that God allowed this wonderful man to wander into her life. Rosemary lived in both New Jersey and North and South Carolina. She held both an LPN license and a NJ Real Estate license. Her final position before retiring was as an Equipment Specialist for the Department of the Army Fort Monmouth, NJ. She held that position for 24 years. Rosemary was also preceded in death by her precious daughter, Cheryl Garrecht and her sister Debbie DeForest.

Rosemary and her husband Phil had many hobbies such as hiking, biking, gardening, photography, and traveling. They visited and hiked every large National Park in the United States. They spend one summer working as reservationist in beautiful Yellowstone National Park. They enjoyed two trips to Europe as well as several trips to Canada and Hawaii. Upon Rosemary’s retirement she and Phil moved to Carolina Shores, NC. After 10 years, and some overwhelming gardens, they moved to a condo overlooking beautiful Coquina Harbour in Little River, SC. Rosemary enjoyed crafts and quilting. She had made over 20 quilts for her family. She spent over 10 years overseeing a group of ladies, the Fort Monmouth Blanketeers, who made blankets and quilts for Project Linus Organization. Several of her homemade jams and crochet baby blankets took first and second place at the Monmouth County Fair in New Jersey. She enjoyed many hours as a member of The Red Hat’s Organization, The Garden Club, and Quilt Guild.

Rosemary is survived by these family members: two amazing daughters, Christine Harrington of Little River, SC, and Catherine Amodio of Myrtle Beach, SC; two sisters, Eileen DeForest of Caldwell, NJ and Susan Kroehl of Manchester, NH; two brothers, Richard DeForest of Little River, SC and Henry DeForest and wife Geraldine of Moneta, VA; two stepdaughters, Erin Long and husband Mike of Indian Trail, NC and Megan Connell of Middletown, NJ; one stepson, Kevin Connell and wife Liza of Half Moon Bay, CA. Rosemary was a loving Grandmother to eight phenomenal grandchildren; Jaymie and Robert Amodio, Aiden and Shane Garrecht, Olivia and Nate Long, and Lexie and Macklin Connell.

Those eight special people were the highlight of her life. Nothing was better than spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed their honesty, humor, and kindness. When something broke it was always, “Grandma can fix anything.” This was music to her ears.

Fear not that your life shall end, but that it shall never begin. Mine began, was good, and so too must end.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at eleven o’clock in the morning at White Funeral and Cremation Service, 3660 Express Drive, Shallotte, North Carolina.

Online condolences may be made at www.shallottefunerals.com

White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte Chapel