Rosalie Ann McDermott

It is with both grief and gratitude that we share news of the death of Rosalie Ann “Rose” McDermott. Rose died peacefully on January 13, 2025, at Gilchrist Hospice in Columbia, Maryland, just four days before her 87th birthday. The gentle skilled presence and support of the Hospice staff is remembered with deep gratitude.

Rose is survived her by her beloved partner of 45 years and spouse of 15 years, Mary Anne O’Hara; her niece, Sheila Mitchell of Groton, Massachusetts; and her nephew, Marc Mitchell of Grants Pass, Oregon.

Rose was born in Bay City, Michigan on January 17, 1938, the youngest of three children. She attended schools led by Dominican Sisters and was later taught by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, with whom she became a member and served as a teacher and an administrator. After leaving the Sisters of Charity, she became a consultant and facilitator with not-for-profit organizations, primarily religious communities. Rose worked in 11 countries and four continents.

Those who knew and loved Rose hold countless memories of their time with her. She shared her innate kindness; her humor; her love of the natural world, especially birds; her delight in cat companions; her joy in gardening; her ease in making friends; and her work skills woven with kindness and imagination. And many of you admired her beauty and style, particularly her taste in shoes and scarves. Did you know that Rose loved to sing and dance? She was excellent at both!

Rose had a contemplative sensibility reflected in her love of poetry, both reading it and writing some beautiful lines. One day, when her dementia was well advanced, Mary Anne asked “Rose, how are you feeling today?” She answered, “I am drenched in gratitudes”. This will be the theme of Rose’s celebration of life.

Thank you to all those who knew and loved Rose and were touched by her life and love. Special thanks to Rose’s caregivers over the past five years of her 15-year struggle with dementia: Gilchrist Hospice, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Autumn Lake Healthcare at Crofton, and Heartfields/Charter Senior Living of Bowie. And to our faithful families and friends near and far, we will always be “drenched in gratitudes” for you.

A celebration of Rose’s life will be held Monday, March 10, at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center (RCC), 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, Maryland 21104. We will begin at 11:00 with a Eucharistic Liturgy, followed by lunch and personal sharing of memories. We hope you can join us in person or online at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82244577429?pwd=jVIF1rTDoFKJA61bNnbd6uzAv7MaAI.1. (Meeting ID: 822 4457 7429 and Passcode: 890620). In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or give to a worthy cause of your choice.

If you need lodging, the RCC has rooms available on both Sunday and Monday nights. Cost of $119 per person per night includes meals during your stay. Contact Rose Kurtz at (410) 442-3109 to make your reservation.