Rosemary McNamara Keibler

Frank and Katherine McNamara began their life together in New York City. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter, they relocated to Frank’s hometown of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, where their second daughter, Rosemary, was born. Frank worked as a sales representative for Gardner Denver, specializing in mining equipment. His career took the family to California and, in 1940, to the Philippines.

As the Imperial Japanese forces advanced through the Pacific, life in the Philippines grew increasingly uncertain. Rosemary, her sister Marguerite, and their mother were able to escape on the last ship out before the Japanese invasion. Tragically, Frank was unable to leave and spent the occupation in a prisoner of war camp until General MacArthur liberated the Philippines in 1945.

During those years, Rosemary, her mother, and sister lived in Dunmore. After the war, Frank returned home and resumed his career with Gardner Denver. Though he hoped to return to the Philippines to help rebuild the mining industry, Katherine preferred to stay in the U.S., and the family eventually settled in El Paso, Texas, where Frank became the senior representative.

Rosemary grew up in El Paso, graduating from high school and earning a teaching degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. She began her career teaching elementary school in underserved areas. and also serving a special geography teacher.

It was in El Paso that Rosemary met her future husband, Harry Keibler, on a blind date arranged by her best friend, Margarete, and her husband, who worked with Harry at Main & Co. Their connection was immediate, and they married in June of 1959.

Rosemary continued teaching until the birth of their first child, Eric, followed by their daughter Colleen. When Colleen was three, the family moved to Odessa, Texas, where Rosemary and Harry welcomed two more children, Kristin and Jason.

After Harry’s retirement from KPMG Peat Marwick Main and Rosemary’s involvement with the Junior League shifted to a sustaining member, the couple moved to Houston to be closer to their children. Eric had settled in Houston after college, Kristin moved to The Woodlands, Colleen lived within driving distance in San Antonio, and Jason was attending Texas A&M.

Harry passed away in 1993 after a battle with cancer. In the years that followed, Rosemary remained active in her church and with two different Theresians groups, a Catholic women’s organization. She also loved to travel having visited Europe and South America with the Archeology Society and the wine country with Jason. She also focused her energy in growing spiritually through retreats at the Cenacle Retreat Center and the Villa de Matel.

When she needed additional physical support, she moved to Brookdale Galleria, where she lived until her passing. She adored Tina, Angie and Tracy and the other staff members. Her nighttime caregiver, Oscar, treated her like she was his own mother, and she cherished their friendship over the last two years.

Rosemary is survived by her children: Eric and Ann Keibler, Colleen and Cary Friesenhahn, Kristin Pattillo, and Jason Keibler. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Dylan and Liz Friesenhahn, Chelsea and Weston Dirba, Joseph and Ashley Friesenhahn, Stephen and Jessica Friesenhahn, Clare and Jerry Schwarzbach, Kate Friesenhahn, Sophie Friesenhahn, Emily Friesenhahn, Austin and Emma O’Hara, Morgan and Adam Sweet, Madison O’Hara, and Brandon O’Hara. Additionally, she leaves behind seventeen great-grandchildren, Lucille Friesenhahn, Cecilia Friesenhahn, Josephine Friesenhahn, Evelyn Dirba, Caroline Friesenhahn, Charles Friesenhahn, Phillip Friesenhahn, Kathryn Friesenhahn, Diana Friesenhahn, Ryan Friesenhahn, Luke Friesenhahn, Alice Schwarzbach, Lydia Schwarzbach, Simon Schwarzbach, Grayson O’Hara, Rowan O’Hara and Dawson O’Hara along with three more on the way.

Rosemary will be remembered for her warmth, her deep and exemplary faith, and her unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the family she cherished.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Cenacle Sisters, Sisters of Charity at Villa de Matel, or Congregation of the Holy Spirit - Spiritan Foundation. Cards can be mailed to: Keibler Family 5808 Newcastle St. Bellaire, TX 77401