Rosemary McKinley

Rosemary Martino McKinley passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on May 17, 2026, in Conroe, Texas after a courageous battle with Stage 4 breast cancer. Rosemary was born on June 5, 1937, in Hartford, Connecticut to parents Frederick Armand (Marty) Martino and Rose Marie Cigrani Martino. Rosemary was the eldest of three children. She attended Bulkeley High School in West Hartford graduating May of 1955 and then attended Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont.

In a twist of fate, Rosemary went on to marry her long-time childhood best friend Jeanne Letendre’s older brother in 1957. Rosemary welcomed her first child, a son, Frederick Armand (Rick) Letendre on April 18, 1958, then welcomed her second child, a daughter Mary-Ellen on March 16,1965. Rosemary was a full-time dedicated mother to Rick and Mary-ellen. She was a mother that was always focused on her children and encouraged them by keeping them fully motivated and engaged in church, school and sports. Eventually the family relocated to Houston, Texas due to a job transfer.

After being a full-time mother for 20 years, Rosemary made an incredible jump from a full-time mother to a career with Hertz rent- a- car at Intercontinental Airport. She was a car recovery specialist. Rosemary always had a knack for solving any issue. Rosemary was very involved with Hertz and a Teamster, which is a powerful union and was ranked 7th, indicating the length of time that she was with the company.

Another life altering event was when Rosemary worked an extra job at Dillards. A customer asked her for assistance in finding towels and linens for his granddaughter Lauren’s room. This gentleman was Hunt McKinley, and after asking her to dinner by giving his card, a wonderful relationship began. Rosemary and Hunt shared a deep love of family and faith, which became the foundation of their marriage. They spent many cherished moments at their condominium in Keystone, Colorado, hosting annual gatherings for the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving filled with skiing and summer fun. Hunt always provided a steady hand within the marriage, whereas Rosemary sometimes was in the wild west, with her strong personality. Their 31 year marriage was marked by companionship, balance, and love until Hunt’s passing in 2022. He affectionately called her “Darlin,” a nickname she treasured.

Rosemary was an avid sports fan. She always had season tickets to the football teams in her city, including the Texans, Oilers, and the Bengals. Her favorite times were with Rick where both attended PGA and senior PGA tours with full access to tents for watching these events. She was an avid sports fan in college football, of course Notre Dame, and NASCAR where she knew the drivers and Formula One.

One of Rosemary’s favorite pass times was gambling. She had so much fun going via the Casino Bus or with her friends. Her best times, however, were the mother-son trips to Lake Charles at the Golden Nugget. She had fun with Rick not only through gambling, but more importantly through the time bonding together. She had her favorite slots, favorite restaurants, and loved all the people she met there.

After Rosemary ended her career with Hertz, she invested a lot of her time and development with Brandy, her granddaughter. Grandma Rosemary provided love and support and care for her grandchildren over several years including staying with them for a year in Louisiana when their mom was stationed in Cuba while in the Navy. A pivotal moment that influenced Brandy’s life was her yearly sea camps in Galveston. This provided a foundation for Brandy to go to Galveston A&M. Rosemary was a part of the Aggie Mom club that provided activities and support for their students.

Rosemary was always involved in several clubs and activities such as Welcoming Neighbors, Bunco, Bingo, Christmas auctions, and many more. She had an extensive set of friends, so she was not easy to find since she was always out having fun. Rosemary had many long-time friends and enjoyed her weekly place for her friends to meet every Friday at Good Charlies Seafood restaurant where they had their “own” table.

Rosemary was overjoyed when her first great-grandchild Dylan was born to Brandy and Adam. Affectionately called Gigi, she loved Dylan and was heavily involved in the various events at school, sporting events and family get togethers. Although she did not get to see her new great granddaughter, Abigail, who was born May 14, 2026, her parents brought her to meet Rosemary one day before Rosemary’s passing. Abigail’s early arrival and visit to Rosemary may have been Rosemary’s sign to be prepared to go to heaven. She would have been just as involved with Abigail’s life if given the opportunity. She always had the energy of a much younger woman that astounded all.

Rosemary at the time of passing, was a member of St. Anthony of Padue Catholic Church in The Woodlands. Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents Rose Cingrani Martino and Frederick Armand “Marty” Martino, husband Robert Hunt McKinley, Sr and her sisters Beverly Martino Carpernter and Barbara Martino, and Rodger Letendre the father of her children. Rosemary was a beloved mother and survived by her son Rick Letendre and his wife Claudia Cole Letendre, daughter Mary-ellen Gibbs and grandson Brice Gibbs, and daughter Brandy with her husband Adam Schwarz, son Dylan Robert Schwarz and daughter Abigail Morgan Schwarz. Rosemary is also survived by Hunt’s son Robert Hunt McKinley, Jr and wife Susan McKinley, and their children daughter Lauren McKinley and husband Trey McLean, and daughter Lily McLean, and Robert Hunt (Robbie) McKinley III and daughter Eleanor.

What a truly fabulous life Rosemary had, known as Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Auntie and to many others, as “Mrs. McKinley”. What a wonderful reunion she must have had, being reunited with her family and friends in Heaven.

In lieu of flower, donations should be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 3801