Rosemarie Cordes

Rosemarie Selgas Cordes died on October 11, 2023, at Georgetown University Hospital. She had suffered a catastrophic stroke the week before. Her family was able to spend much time with her in her last days.

Rosemarie was born in Brooklyn in 1948. Her parents were Al and Grace Selgas. They welcomed Rosemarie as their only girl. She joined her three older brothers in a tight-knit and loving family. Not long after Rosemarie’s birth, the family purchased a new home in Baldwin, NY, on Long Island. Rosemarie spent her formative years there, attending Baldwin’s public schools through high school. After high school, she obtained a degree in nursing at Niagara University, and a master’s degree in nursing from Adelphi University.

Rosemarie spent her early nursing career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for a National Cancer Institute unit housed at the Washington, DC, Veterans Hospital. She counseled patients and their families, helped organize research studies, and wrote or collaborated on several scholarly articles on cancer, especially on its psychological effects. She was a fixture at the NCI unit for nearly a decade.

Later, after Rosemarie gave birth to three children, she took on a variety of part-time nursing positions. She then capped her career by working for many years as a nurse-case manager in Bethesda, MD, at what is now the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Rosemarie was a caring and highly competent professional. She won friends and admirers wherever she worked.

In 1978, Rosemarie met the love of her life, John F. Cordes, and they married a year later. They soon bought a home in Silver Spring, where they have lived happily for more than forty years. They brought up three wonderful children in that home, Tracy, Patty, and Jim. Rosemarie was the most dedicated of mothers. Her life was filled with car pools, field trips, birthday parties,sports games, dance lessons, school projects and events, and much else. Wherever her kids were, or whatever they were doing or wanted to do, Rosemarie was there. And she kept up her nursing career all along.

Rosemarie also was the most dedicated of wives. Her dazzling smile, her smart advice and insights, her self-deprecation, her kindness, lit up John’s life. Needless to say, he is bereft and heartbroken at her death. But in time remembering her will surely light up his (and her whole family’s) life once more.

Rosemarie is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, John, and by her children, Tracy Francescone (Luca), Patty McClain (Rick), and Jim. Rosemarie had four granddaughters, whom she adored, Nina Francescone, Sofia Francescone, Kate McClain, and Carrie McClain. She is also survived by two brothers, Tom and Al Selgas. Her other brother, Jim Selgas, and her parents pre-deceased her. Rosemarie is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, as well as several beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law.

Rosemarie and John were active parishioners at St. John the Baptist Parish in Silver Spring for forty years. Their children attended school there. A funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist on Saturday, October 21, at 12:30 pm. The family will be available for visitation at the church starting at 11:30 am. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Rosemarie’s name to Catholic Charities DC, the Histiocytosis Association, or any charity of choice.

Rosemarie and John were active parishioners at St. John the Baptist in Silver Spring for forty years. Their children attended school there. A receiving of family and friends for Rosemarie will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 11:30 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 12319 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, followed by a memorial mass at 12:30 PM.

The family suggest that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Rosemarie's memory may be made to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington DC, https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/; The Histiocytosis Association, https://histio.org/get-involved/donate/ or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Cordes family.