Rosemary L. Clinkert

She was a stunning woman; loyal, affectionate, and prayerful; born to hard working and talented Italian immigrants. Her hands were as expressive and exquisite as they were nimble, allowing her to easily excel in tailoring, calligraphy, cooking, crocheting, gardening, photography, stained glass artistry, and tender caregiving. She had a luminous smile and laugh, an impeccable sense of style and attention to detail, a love for reading, financial acumen, and good common sense well before she was a jeweler’s assistant, banker, teacher, grocer and Master Gardener. Rosemary showered others with gifts and felt it was an honor and duty to attend countless birthdays, baptisms, bridal and baby showers; weddings and funerals of family and friends. She was an integral support to her devoted husband of nearly 65 years, Donald, being his confidant during his long, successful business career, and his inspiration for his many eloquent toasts. Rosemary ensured her children loved reading, music, dancing, swimming, playing outside, and that they knew how to cook, always saying, “Clean as you go.” She beamed when they triumphed and embraced them with compassion when there was heartbreak.

Rosemary is survived by her four loving children: Donna Rose (the late David) Thompson; Paul Clinkert; Mary (Mark) Schuler; and Karen Veronica (Sherman) Paggi; six grandchildren: Christopher (Megan) Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Elizabeth Bianco (great-granddaughter, Olivia), Nathan Thompson; Cale Clinkert; Luke Donald Paggi; and numerous nieces and nephews. Rosemary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald J. Clinkert; her parents Anthony and Domenica (Colasuonno) Savino; brother Joseph Savino and sister, Lucy Savino.

Rosemary was a devout Catholic and will lie in state May 8th, 2026 at 12:00 pm until Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 pm at St. Petronille Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn, IL. Interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL.