Rosemary Ellen Aarhus

She was born December 11th, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late Trygve E. and Marie H. Aarhus.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. She worked for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, later Bell Atlantic, first in the DC residential business office, later at Group Headquarters staff in Silver Spring, Maryland.

She was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community of Alexandria, where she wrote articles and took photographs for the parish newsletter, made posters, flyers and banners, worked on liturgical planning and, for over twenty-five years, was a lector.

She loved to write, especially poetry, drew cartoons and greeting cards, and read widely — history, travel, architecture, mysteries, World Wars One and Two, and was for a time an expert in the bloodlines of thoroughbred horses. She loved traveling with her late friend Nancy Lent in the U.S. and overseas. She made eighteen trips to Great Britain and a return visit to Germany, where she had spent a portion of her childhood. She also had many fond memories of canine companions Rex and Riffs, and feline companions Chessie, Maggie, Basia, and Perry.

She is survived by her brother Richard L. Aarhus, and ten nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Robert T. Sr. and Ronald T. Aarhus. She was buried in Cool Spring Natural Cemetery, on the grounds of Holy Cross Abbey, in Berryville, Virginia. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 25th, at 11 AM at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, Rosemary wanted to encourage donations for The Little Sisters of the Poor, Doctors Without Borders, and Catholic Relief Services.