My thoughts and prayers are with Liz, John, their children, and all of Rosemary's family.

So sorry to hear of Aunt Rosemary's passing.  I remember the many times my husband Dave and she talked about Jackson Heights and were so surprised that they knew some of the same people. He hung out in the candy store on Northern Blvd. with Willie and she was friendly with Willie's fatjher.  Small world!

To the McNamara children -- I'm Butch Bracknell, Jimmy's long time friend from UNC.  I met your folks once, at a christening in Bethesda, MD, either in the fall of 1991 or the spring of 1992.  All the siblings were there, plus your cousin, the U2 pilot.  We all had a great time together as you opened your family to Mark Pierce, Chad Schultz and me.

I grew up very different from the McNamara children, maybe not the most different that you can grow up, but pretty different nonetheless.  Where the McNamaras grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, I was raised -- literally -- on Tobacco Road in rural North Carolina.  I had never been to a major US city until I was 18 years old, whereas your family came of age in the melting pot of what I consider to be the world's greatest city.

That weekend in Bethesda was a peek, for me, into a completely different world.  I saw a strong Irish Catholic family, rooted in its former country, but flourishing in its present one.  The reality of America's diversity, its promise, its goodness was reflected when I realized how folks so different could come together and love each other and be friends.  You McNamara offspring have been enormously successful.  And that's not by accident.

One of the things that always struck me about Jim was his clear love of family -- of his mother and father, his siblings, and his upbringing.  Jim is proud to be an American Irish Catholic, and I am proud to be his friend.  Jim's character, like the character of the McNamara siblings, is a testament to the strength, love, determination, goodwill, and tenacity of an ironwilled McNamara family, led by a classic American matriarch.  

Some people come to this earth and leave having fulfilled only a fraction of their promise.  Through her family, Rosemary McNamara and her husband James left a legacy on this earth larger than material wealth, or art, or edifices.  She left human goodness.  I have always loved your family, both the actual family and the *idea* of the McNamara family.  Rest well, Mrs. McNamara, and enjoy the fruits of your labors seated at the feet of our Father.

I hope what I'm struggling to tell you makes sense, and that it appears neither trite nor cliche when I say both your parents led lives well-lived.

Although it's hard to add to what my husband wrote, I am recalling Mrs. McNamara's willing smile and cheerful perspective.  I miss running into Rosemary and Jim around the neighborhood.  We always had a long chat!  My condolences to Liz and Rose, John, Jeff and Jimmy, and the entire family.

Dear Mrs. Mac, 
I remember you well and how welcome you always made me feel in your home, how kindhearted and funny and smart you were, and how unusually honest and insightful about the really important things in life.  You left a remarkable legacy in your children, my contemporaries, including that same kindness, humor, intelligence, and largeness of spirit - and, I'm sure in your grandchildren too, who like me, were lucky to have known such a person even from a distance and for a relatively short time.  I hope we can meet again one day, with all my other "absent friends," world permitting.  My regrets to all your children, most of whom I was also lucky to get to know a bit while growing up, and who are your living reflection even now.

John and Louise,
Marsha and I will be praying for you and your family.  Your mom sounds a lot like my mother.  Take care and call if you need anything. May the Good Lord give you strength and peace as you celebrate your mother's life.
Steve and Marsha Baisch

Rosemary was a lovely woman.  Deepest condolences from Robert and Síghle Lynch.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. 
May the "God of all comfort" be with the family and friends, during and. after these difficult times.

OBITUARIO

Mrs. Rosemary Elizabeth Flood McNamara

15 agosto, 1930 – 21 agosto, 2016

Conway Funeral Home

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