Rosemary Watkins

Rosemary Watkins was born Rosemary Harag on September 1, 1934 in Chicago Illinois to parents John Harag and Anna Mikulas. She peacefully passed away on October 13, 2020. At age 24 she married Thomas Skehan. They would divorce a number of years later. At age 36 Rosemary would marry for the second and final time to DuWayne Watkins in Lansing, Michigan. DuWayne had three children from a previous marriage, Daniel, Heather, and Vicky, to which Rosemary was a dedicated and loving mother. Rosemary and DuWayne would later have one child of their own together, Elizabeth Watkins, born August 26, 1974. Rosemary taught many life lessons and values to all of her children. After their youngest child, Elizabeth was grown, Rosemary and DuWayne would eventually divorce but remained close friends until DuWayne’s death in 2015.

In addition to DuWayne, Rosemary was also predeceased by her brother Charles Harag, as well as children Daniel Watkins and Heather Gilbert, and also Granddaughter Lyn Gilbert. She is survived by her children Elizabeth Watkins and Vicky Watkins, Grandson Adam Gilbert, and Great Grandson Noah Gilbert. She is also survived by four nephews Charlie, Brian Matt, and Marc and one niece Laura, along with several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends including long time friend of 60 years, Andrea Holt of DeWitt, Michigan who mailed her weekly postcards to Florida from Michigan for several years.

Rosemary went to Michigan State University where she obtained her Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees in Education and devoted her life to being a teacher at Waverly Schools. Educating children was her passion and she spent over 20 years teaching elementary and middle school children. She went on to become an accomplished business woman buying and selling Real Estate, and managing rental properties before eventually retiring to Florida in 2008.

She was a generous woman. She loved music and had an appreciation for the arts, especially theatre. She loved reading Shel Silverstein books, Poetry, Non Fiction, and even Cook books! She was a devout Catholic. She was a lover of dogs and a dedicated pet parent. Most recently she had a Bichon named Molly and later a Maltese named Maggie. She loved music, arts, live theater, movies, and photography. She loved going out to eat, ice-cream and pizza were two of her favorites. She loved learning and had an extensive book collection. She had a life long thirst for knowledge as she read the newspaper and watched the news everyday. She will forever be remembered for her kind heart, generous spirit, and life lessons she taught everyone around her.

A visitation for Rosemary will be held Friday, October 23, 2020 from 4 PM to 7:00 PM at Babione Funeral Home, 1100 N. Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432. A funeral Mass will occur Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11:00 AM, St. Vincent Ferrer, Delray Beach, FL. A committal service to follow at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, North Lauderdale, FL.

Donations are being accepted at her favorite charity, The Humane Society.