Rosemary R Laughlin

Nevada, surrounded by her devoted family, after a full life of almost 97 years. She

was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert L. Laughlin – married 54 years, her

brothers Edward, Howard and John Reichmuth, and daughters Sarah Ann Laughlin

and Katherine Laughlin Isaacson. She is survived by her children, son Herbert L.

Laughlin Jr., daughters Margaret C. Laughlin and Nancy Laughlin, grandchildren

John, Thomas and Holly Isaacson, and great grandchildren Anton, Ibbie, Katherine

and Candice Isaacson.

Born on May 19, 1922 in Long Beach, California to Admiral Ferdinand Louis

Reichmuth. and Clara Stevenson Reichmuth, she spent her childhood years until

1938 in Palo Alto California where she attended Castilleja girl’s school. She returned

to the same house where she grew up on Melville Avenue as a young mother from

1947 -1958. She lived in Washington DC as a teenager into adulthood where her

father was stationed and promoted to Commandant of the Potomac Naval

Command. She graduated high school from Sidwell Friends School, returned to

California to study at Mills College, then back to Washington DC where she met her

husband, Lt. Commander Herbert L. Laughlin, of Albany NY. After eloping to Florida,

they were married in DC with full military regalia in 1943. As newlyweds, they lived

for a period in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, near the Laughlin family’s roots,

where their first three children were born. In 1948 they moved to Palo Alto where

Herbert opened his music stores, “House of Sound” in Redwood City, and “Sea of

Records” in San Francisco, and Santa Barbara.

In 1958 the family moved to Montecito (Santa Barbara) California where they spent

the next 20 years. While raising children, Rosemary was actively involved in the Girl

Scouts and Sierra Club, studied ballet and baroque music on recorder, and later

became a kindergarten aide at Montecito Union School. She helped to raise a

menagerie of animals, including rabbits, peacocks, dogs, a horse, and an occasional

lost teenager friend of her children.

As she had spent every summer since 1933 at a remote family cabin on Fallen Leaf

Lake, Rosemary brought her own family to the same cabin every year. Over decades,

the traditions, stories and way of life became a treasured legacy, where her skills as

handywoman, boat handler, swimming and rowing enthusiast, wilderness hiker and

wood stove cooking expert were passed on to the next generations.

Rosemary, nicknamed “Posie” by relatives, was a proud fourth generation

Californian, whose great grandmother crossed the plains in a covered wagon in

1850. She also bragged about her strong German stock from her father’s side, as she

lavished on beer and Limburger cheese on special occasion. Her pioneering heritage

and interests contrasted distinctly with those of husband Herb to form a unique and

colorful marriage. Herb delved into classical music, antique and art collections,

practiced flamenco guitar, and dressed daily in a suit, hat and bowtie. Posie,

however, preferred hanging out in her jeans, playing her recorder, building wooden

puzzles, or playing badminton outside with the kids. She was a lover of nature,

music and dance, an avid model railroad builder, a Star Trek enthusiast, and

proficient seamstress, making outfits, suits, and even sleeping bags for her family.

In 1978 Herb and Rosemary sold the house in Montecito to move to Carson City

Nevada, where she spent her last 40 years.

After Herb died in 1997, she rediscovered herself through poetry writing, earning an Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry. She volunteered in a first grade classroom at the local elementary school, and became an active member of St. Peters Episcopal Church. As a widow she found loving companionship through her two adopted cats, and missed them dearly when they could not outlive her. Rosemary never stopped learning; offering her skills and services freely to the community, whether it be crocheted hats, playing recorder at church services, or sharing her famous oatmeal

chocolate chip cookies. She will be greatly missed; she left her “heart print” on all

who were open enough to receive her gifts.

Family and friends are invited to her memorial service, followed by a reception on

Saturday May 18 at 2 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 314 N. Division Street,

Carson City Nevada. Flowers can be sent to St. Peters Church before May 18 or to

her residence. Please contact the family for details if a donation is preferred.