Rosemarie Allor

Rosemarie Allor was born on September 26, 1954, in New Orleans, LA. Although born and raised in Texas, her mother loved the Cajun country and the coast of Louisiana. Rosemarie always said that at the age of four she was old enough to know where she wanted to be so she got herself to Texas as soon as she could. In truth, she went to live with doting grandparents in Marlin, Texas at four years old upon the death of her mother.

Her grandmother and step Grandfather raised her with love along with sadness over the loss of their 24 year old charismatic daughter. Rosemarie was the honored child that could do no wrong. She was the constant companion of her step Grandfather, going with him on his day to day errands and working alongside this Jack of all trades.

She went to work as a carhop at the age of 14 when her grandfather became ill. A main family breadwinner by 16 as the Manager of the drive-in, she did it with love and without resentment. She did whatever she needed to do for those she loved and never looked back.

Rose was a combination of boldness and gentleness, confidence and insecurity, assertiveness and shyness. Her kindness shined though her like a beacon making her a magnet that attracted all kinds of people. She could hardly go into a store or stand in a line without someone starting a conversation with her, telling her their life story or their troubles. They sensed a level of kindness and compassion in her that few of us possess.

She was a lover of life; of all life. She could identify hundreds of varieties of trees and birds. She loved learning all about them. She could grow any plant or tree and she loved to watch birds, study them and feed them.

She enjoyed so much - her work as a drafter-designer that she took such pride in, fishing at her favorite watering holes, gardening, cooking and listening to music. She tackled everything with enthusiasm and the intensity of an ambitious student.

This open and caring personality did have its occasional downside. When she was very young she developed a limp that alarmed her grandparents. Her grandmother took her to the doctor, who examined her and watched her limp across the room. Being well acquainted with the family, he said “Rosemarie, walk normally across the room” She walked across the room just as pretty as you please with no sign of a limp. Then he said “Rosemarie, walk like your grandfather would.” As she walks, here came the limp that so alarmed her grandparents. The doctor then laughed and said “I wouldn’t worry about it. She will grow out of it.”

She did grow out of it, and began to justify all the pride and confidence that her grandparents had in her. She just simply didn’t take anything she set out to do lightly. From walking like the man she admired most when she was 5 or 6 to being the best carhop and the best manager and later drafter-designer, to raising the healthiest and happiest farm animals in Tennessee, she did it all with love and great joy.

Rosemarie’s spirit took some blows with the cancers that began to plague her when she was 39. But she never gave up or lost that love of life and the living. She never lost the goodness that was at the core of her being. We, her friends and family, will love her and miss her forever.

The family will have a private service to celebrate the life of Rosemarie Allor. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Association or The Kidney Cancer Association.