Rose Mary Lehmberg

Rose Mary Eriksson Lehmberg was born August 8, 1921 in New Orleans, La., and died Thursday night, December 15, 2011 in Taylor, Texas. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Seth Ward Lehmberg, in December, 2008, her brother, Enfrid Eriksson, and her niece, Ellen Eriksson Jeter.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Robert Lehmberg of Little Rock, Arkansas, Rosemary Lehmberg of Austin, and Philip Lehmberg, his wife Bette, and two perfect granddaughters, Laura and Jennifer Lehmberg, all of Houston.

Rose Mary grew up in Dallas, Tx. She met Seth Ward while he was attending Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. After their marriage in 1944, Rose Mary and Seth Ward lived in Jacksonville, Fla. and Galveston, TX, while he was serving as a physician in the U.S. Navy. They then settled in Taylor, Texas. She quickly learned that being a doctor’s wife in a small town was as demanding on her as it was on him. Neither of them was ever “off duty,” and a full night of uninterrupted sleep was rare.

Rose Mary contributed her time and talents to causes she believed in. As a member of the Junior Women’s Study Club, she championed a clinic for children with cerebral palsy and later the Williamson County Activity Center. She was a devout Catholic who regularly attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A memorial mass was held at the church on Monday, December 19, celebrating Rose Mary’s life.

Rose Mary’s greatest passion was exploring other lands and cultures. She was a fearless world traveler, venturing to places most of us only dream of. From England to Italy to the Holy Land to China – she marveled at their cultures, their artifacts and their people.

Rose Mary Lehmberg was a devoted wife and mother, a loving grandmother and loyal friend. We will miss our mom and “Granny.” And, we will always be grateful for the love she gave us freely, the home she created for us, and the independence she nurtured in each of us.

We are grateful to many for their care of our mother. Angie, Betty, Linda, Leah, Cindy, Jeremy, Jane and her staff at the S.P.J.S.T Assisted Living facility all rendered generous and loving assistance during the last years of Rose Mary’s life.

Charitable donations may be made to Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry, P.O. Box 249, Taylor, TX, 76574.