Rosemarie Waterbury

Rosemarie Waterbury, 87, of Lake Worth, Florida, passed away on March 27, 2026, at 1:52 p.m. Rosemarie will be remembered as an adventurous, beloved, compassionate, devoted, generous, hard-working, honest, kind-hearted, resilient, selfless woman whose steady presence and thoughtful care touched many lives.

Born on November 30, 1938, Rosemarie’s early years reflected the spirited determination that remained with her throughout life. She attended high school and completed an optician apprenticeship in her family’s trade. She also raced downhill skiing in Germany. Shortly after coming to America, Rosemarie won “ski queen” at a beauty pageant in the early 1960s, where she was awarded a luxury fur seal coat—an era when ski resorts often hosted high-fashion pageants alongside winter sport.

Rosemarie was a devoted business owner who started and ran Lake Worth Optical Shop for about 15 years before selling the store and retiring. Her work ethic and integrity were evident in the care she brought to her customers and to her community.

On November 21, 2001, Rosemarie married her husband, Richard Neil Waterbury. She was previously married to Jon Richard Maxwell; they divorced in 1988. She was a loving mother to her children: son Christopher Scott Maxwell (b. 1965, d. 2026), son Peter Alexander Maxwell (b. 1969) and wife Becky, and daughter Kimberly Ann White (b. 1970) and husband Shane. She was an adoring grandmother to Heidi Collette White (b. 2012). Rosemarie adored Heidi and was thrilled that Heidi is artistic. Heidi dances ballet in the Student Company of Ballet Pensacola, plays trumpet in the band, and sings in the chorus for her middle school. Rosemarie’s family will miss her curiosity and adventurous spirit.

Rosemarie found joy in traveling, hiking, exploring new places, photography, pottery, stained glass, gardening, cooking, and visiting with old friends. She especially loved learning about the architecture and history of the places she visited, and she took great pleasure in planning travels for herself and her family—sharing experiences with the same generosity and care that defined her life.

She also gave back through volunteer work at Okeeheelee Nature Center and enjoyed fellowship through the Palm Beach Gator Snow Ski Club and the Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to Alamar Senior Living for the excellent care Rosemarie received.