Rosemary Virginia Breithaupt

Rosemary Virginia Breithaupt, age 67, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 her boyfriend Rick by her side. Rosemary was born October 9, 1952, in Mobile, Alabama to Myrtle Patricia Downing and William Gahan Breithaupt.

Rosemary attended Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School in Mobile, and, when her family moved from Mobile to Huntsville in 1959, Rosemary continued her elementary education at Saint Mary’s Catholic School, followed by Holy Spirit Catholic School. During this time, Rosemary began cultivating her love of art, crafts, and theatre, the latter brought on by participation in a fourth grade school play with Peggy Lang Klaus. They were also members of the Huntsville Youth Band, wherein Rosemary played the drums. Together, she and Peggy sketched tombstones at Maple Hill Cemetery as children and tent camped from Canada and to Orlando as adults. Their friendship lasted a lifetime, Peggy at Rosemary’s bedside—along with Patrick, Claire, and Rick—during her last days.

In 1969, the summer before her graduation from Butler High School in 1970, Rosemary and her family camped at the Cape to watch Apollo 11 launch. Her father was a NASA employee who worked on the mission. She attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, majoring in Broadcasting and Film Communication, minoring in Journalism in Public Relations. While attending the University of Alabama, Rosemary was a member of both Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority and Alpha Epsilon Rho National Fraternity of Broadcasters, and tutored elementary school children in Tuscaloosa through the Juvenile Assistance League in Huntsville, Alabama. Rosemary was also a committee member of the Catholic Student Center. Additionally, she hosted a night time campus radio show on WUAL which was simulcast on a local TV channel. She received accolades for her soothing voice and wonderful choices in music. During this time she roomed with Joanne Mottram Chapman, another childhood friend, and they too remained friends until Rosemary’s death.

She started her professional career in radio news in Columbus, Georgia. From there, she worked as a videographer in the News department at WKRG TV in Mobile, Alabama, and then WFTV in Orlando, Florida. After her retirement from the hectic world of daily news broadcasting, she worked for the Orange County, Florida, library system, and travelled between the Orlando libraries as a children’s storyteller.

Rosemary continued cultivating her love of the arts and theatre, and while living in Florida she met her boyfriend of 24 years, Rick Mayfield. They moved to Memphis in 2005. There, she worked at the Pink Palace Museum, and later the Memphis Botanic Gardens in the Education department, guiding children to love gardening and what beauty the Earth has to offer. Rosemary loved to work in her home garden, and had a deep love for and understanding of the language of flowers, a passion she never hesitated to share with those around her. Rick and Rosemary enjoyed attending classes at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts every year. She was famous for her beautiful, handmade, and colorful wicker baskets, rosaries, and jewelry. Rosemary will be remembered for her lovely homemade Christmas ornaments, which she personally crafted and sent every year to family and friends. Every year of their lives, Rosemary sent birthday cards to her siblings, never missing the occasion. She was devoted to her family, and cherished in return.

She loved animals, especially her beloved cats, and was a world traveler both solo and with her sister Deirdre. She visited many countries, some of which included Mexico, Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Bali, Belize (crewing on a boat), and Indonesia.

Rosemary was a beloved daughter, aunt and friend. She often visited her hometown and her brother Patrick, his wife Barbara, and their children. She was always forgiving, helpful, and lived life closely to the tenets of her faith. She was a source of strength and inspiration for her friends and family. She gave her gift of love and friendship unconditionally to everyone she met, treated them with respect and dignity, and was an example of humility and purity of heart. Her place on earth will never be filled and her place in heaven truly ensured. We loved her dearly and miss her terribly.

Rosemary is survived by her sister, Deirdre Breithaupt; brother, Patrick Breithaupt (Barbara); sister, Claire Breithaupt Bennett (Garner); niece, Sydney Breithaupt; niece, Emily Bennett; nephew, Nicholas Bennett; niece, Madeleine Breithaupt, niece, Therese Breithaupt, and niece, Christina Breithaupt. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, William Gahan Breithaupt II.

A rosary and wake will be held for Rosemary at the Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, on Sunday, March 1, 2020, starting at 6:00 pm, rosary 7:30-8:00 PM. A funeral mass with be held on Monday, March 2, 2020, at 1:00 PM at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Red Cloud Indian School, Covenant House, The Better Homes Foundation or Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers.