Rosemary was born January 13, 1934 in West Hoathly, UK to Jesse and Kathleen (Rist) Knight.
She married Fred L. Ehrstein in 1967 in Haywards Heath, England. Together, they shared 56 years of marriage before his passing on February 24, 2024.
Surviving is one son, Stephen (Deb) Ehrstein of Kirkwood, MO; granddaughters, Miranda Ehrstein of St. Louis, MO and Helene Ehrstein of Kirkwood, MO; and nephews and nieces, Jonathan (Helen) Knight of East Grinstead, UK; Debbie Knight of Crawley, UK; Mary (Edward) Knobeloch; Susan (Mike) Jakovac; Hal Modro; Michele Peters; Tim Modro; Carol (Tim) Thrall; Fred (Oznur) Modro; and Monica Jinks; and sister-in-law, Pearl Knight of Sharpethorne, UK.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Knight.
Rosemary lived the fullest of lives. Born into the teeth of World War II, her memories included being fitted for a child-sized gas mask, seeing London burning beyond the North Downs, dodging flying bombs, and Christmas parties organized by Canadian troops for the local children. Yet her indomitable spirit allowed her to recall it as a time of great personal freedom riding her bicycle through the countryside and wandering the woods. She then pursued her life-long love of the arts graduating Brighton School of Art and studying at the Paris Beaux-Arts before doing typography at Waterlow and Sons, London and teaching art. With friends she traveled widely showing the adventurous and outgoing spirit that led her to meeting her future husband through his response to her prize-winning essay in the iconic British humor magazine, Punch. Their union produced an inseparable and cultured and travel-loving couple. Rosemary threw herself into her life in the United States. She always made friends wherever she went; she was a joiner who actively participated in her church and social activities revolving around her past and interests: British Wives, gardening clubs, her deep faith. She always had time for the huge circle of those she loved, family and friends. She will be missed profoundly, but her memory will comfort us.
A memorial time of gathering will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00 A.M.- 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church in Belleville, with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 A.M.
The family has entrusted Lake View Funeral Home with cremation rites. Any donations can be made to a variety of organizations that Rosemary supported including The Nature Conservancy, Heifer International, Catholic Urban Programs, and Planned Parenthood.
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