Rosemary Grimsal Manning was born on September 12, 1927, to Mary and Joseph Grimsal in New Orleans, LA. She died peacefully in the early morning of November 27th at Springhill Senior Residence with family by her side. She was 96.
Rosemary met her husband Armand while working as a secretary at Colonial Sugars. They married in May of 1948 and started their family in New Orleans. The family moved to Gramercy LA in the late 1950’s when the offices moved at the refinery. It was a big move to “the country” but they developed lifelong friendships. She was very active in the Gramercy Elementary PTA and Catholic Daughters. After the youngest started school, Rosemary returned to the work force and became the parish secretary at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gramercy and remained there for 14 years.
In 1980, Colonial relocated its offices to Mobile. It was a hard transition for her, but luckily Rosemary was introduced to the New Mobilians. She had an instant group of friends who had all been transplanted to Mobile and remained active as long as physically able. She had been instrumental in starting the Mardi Gras Ball tradition, which is now in its 40th year, and she was thrilled to be their queen for the Mardi Gras ball in 1988.
An avid card player, she loved her bridge groups and loved playing cards with her grandchildren. She even introduced a family favorite “King’s Corners” to the residents at Atria Senior Living while living there.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her loving husband Armand after 63 years of marriage, parents, Mary and Joseph Grimsal, brother Eddie Grimsal, and sister Rita Fielding.
Her life lives on through her family. Her children: Kathleen Manning, Metairie LA, Susan (Tom) Burke, Beaumont, TX, Michael (Ginger) Manning, Baton Rouge, LA, Anne (Bob) Norton, Mobile; Nine grandchildren: Danny (Laura) Burke, Cove, TX, Andrew Burke, New Orleans, Emily (Michael) Celli, Beaumont, Scott (Alyse) Manning, Baton Rouge, Katy Manning, Baton Rouge, Jessica Manning, Baton Rouge, Jennifer Norton, Mobile, Robby (Taylor) Norton, Covington, Liz Norton, Mobile; and seven great-grandchildren with an 8th due to arrive any day.
The family would like to thank the staff of Springhill Senior Residence and Gentiva Hospice for their excellent care. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Friday, December 1st at 11 am. Family will receive friends at 9:30 am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Corpus Christi Building Fund, 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, AL, 36608 or the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, 10600 S. Choctaw Dr. Baton Rouge, LA, 70815.
