Rosemary Catherine Rice

Rosemary Catherine Rice, age 94 of Warren, died Friday, July 24, 2020 at Park Place Assisted Living in Warren. She was born May 12, 1926 in Detroit, daughter of the late Leonard and the late Anna (nee: Grocki) Funke.

Employed as an office assistant within the automotive / defense realm for a number of years, Rosemary took great pride in her job as part of the support staff where she worked. But for as honored as she was to help in her clerical role, Rosemary would have told you that her best work was that extended as a caring mother of 10. For all the mother’s out there who could possibly relate,…the care and raising of just one child can seem insurmountable at times,…but 10? Yet Rosemary managed it all with such grace and poise, of course with the great help and support of her loving husband, Ralph. With 3 girls and 7 boys to raise, Rosemary poured her heart and soul into raising upstanding children,…all of whom made her quite proud in the adults they each became.

As they grew, her children had no greater cheerleader than their Mom. She attended most of their sporting events and was a constant encouragement as they competed,…and excelled. But there was one sport / recreation that Rosemary took seriously, and that was swimming. She deemed it most important that they learn how to swim, so she taught each of them how to do so. With painstaking patience and fortitude, she soldiered through with each one until they reached their own level of comfort and confidence, and could swim like fish. As for Rosemary, a pool of water held a great invitation for her. As recounted by one of her children, the pool was the only place you would ever see her rest. It was a beautiful sight to look over and see Rosemary reclined without a floating device, eyes closed,taking in a well-deserved nap.

Rosemary will also be remembered for her passion in gardening, especially with her prized vegetables. Equipped with a green thumb and her host of tools, Rosemary tilled her soil and planted with precision to attain the greatest fruitfulness. Possessing the heart of a horticulturalist, she poured the best of her tender-loving-care into nurturing her gardens growth and was grateful for every harvest she reaped in the process. Even amidst her aging stature, the garden was so important to Rosemary that you might have seen her venturing out, with her walker to do what her heart prompted in keeping the garden alive and well.  And vegetables from Grandma’s Garden were always the best!

In their younger years, she and Ralph were known for being quite “light on their feet.” Both being lovers of dancing, the two of them were a sight to behold on the dance floor. Nothing says love & communication like watching a couple in wonderful synchronicity as they sway across the floor with effortless abandon,…and Rosemary & Ralph had that in spades, and then some.

They also found great delight in traveling, and it all stemmed from Rosemary’s love of history and her curiosity about different cultures. She was an avid reader, especially when it came to learning about exciting places on the globe. Quite often she would pick up a book or article about a noted destination,…and before long, she & Ralph were headed off to see what it truly had to offer. Rosemary’s penchant for reading would often unveil a wonderful world of opportunities that she embarked upon and savored through the many memories created along the way.

Another of Rosemary’s favorite pastimes was engaging in a game of cards, specifically the game of Pinochle,…and more specifically with her friends, the ladies down the block. For over 50 years, Rosemary and the girls have been convening regularly for a little “card table competition” and catching up on all the neighborhood banter. The cards were the catalyst,…but friendship was the big winner!

Most admirably in Rosemary’s life was her deep and abiding faith in God, her constant source of strength for each and every day. She was humble, prayerful, and always hungry for the guidance that her Father in Heaven bestowed. A longstanding and faithful parishioner of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Warren, Rosemary was one of the original members of the church, dating back to 1963.

A loving wife, an incredible mother, and a doting grandmother, Rosemary was an amazing teacher, mentor, and role model for her family. She dreamed big, lived large, and loved with all she had,…a true Matriarch & Mom. She touched countless hearts and souls as she journeyed through life, and sowed kindness with all in whom paths she crossed. She will long be remembered for the wonderful example she set, and the many lives that were changed, simply, through the blessing of knowing her. She will be missed beyond expression and loved beyond measure.    

Rosemary was the beloved wife of the late Ralph Rice. Dearest mother of Diane (John) Kessler, Richard (Linda) Rice, Ronald Rice, Robert Rice, Russell (Kimberly) Rice, Ryan (Brenda) Rice, Dawn (Scott) Eathorne, Roger Rice, the late Debra, the late Randall, and mother-in-law of Janice. Loving grandmother of Kevin, Rodney, Regan, Ryan, Jerry, Dennis, Thomas, Sheena, Kelley, Kayla, Melanie, Ryan “RJ”, Brook, Brad, Jamie, Courtney, Brendan and great-grandmother of Jake, Makenzie, Josephine, Elinor, Maria, Summer, Alex, Tara, Jack, Wyatt, Connor, Carson, Natalie, and Autumn. Sister of the late Eugene Funke.

A “Celebration of Life” for Rosemary will be held at a later date. Please check back for updates. Memorial donations appreciated to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliot, Detroit, MI 48021, https://www.cskdetroit.org/ 

Memorial donations are welcomed to the St. John Deaf Center, 16103 Chesterfield Avenue, Eastpointe, Michigan 48021. (www.sjdc-oll.org) 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.

Please share memories of Rosemary at her guest book below.