Rosemary O’Brien
Rosemary “Aunt Rosemary” O’Brien, 94, of Fond du Lac passed away Friday, June 9, 2017 at St. Francis Terrace. She was born May 10, 1923 in Byron, the daughter of the late William and Helen (Costello) Ferguson. Rosemary was a 1941 graduate of Fond du Lac Senior High School.
She worked at Quick Freez as a bookkeeper and secretary. On July 12, 1947, Rosemary married Gene O’Brien at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eden. They farmed in the Town of Eden until 1988. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, the Altar & Rosary Society, NAMI, the Daughters of Isabelle, the Eden Rosary Club and the Irish History Cub. She enjoyed rosary making and caring for her nieces and nephews.
Rosemary was “Aunt Rosemary” to so many people. Although never able to have children of her own, she was a mother to countless people with so much love to give to anyone who were lucky enough to know her. If you knew her, you knew that God existed because he allowed us to “borrow” her for 94 years. She had to come directly from heaven because in this day and age, people like Aunt Rosemary are so very hard to find. How else do you explain a person with so much poise, decorum, always with a sparkle in her eyes, and always a smile on her face? Aunt Rosemary embraced the qualities that we aspire to–strength of character, honesty, and selflessness. The depth of her compassion, care, and love was infinite. In her presence, you felt that she was your biggest fan–always with positive encouragement; always encouraging you to do, and be, your best; always encouraging you to be smart about how you lived your life; and always compelling you to be a good person. Her spirit was unbreakab le and her faith ironclad–it gave her the strength to help everyone around her. She always parted with a “God Bless you” and she meant it. It was the most heartfelt goodbye anyone could get.
Survivors include her sister Delphine Johnson of Waupun and sister-in-law Shirley Ferguson of Fond du Lac. She was aunt to 16 and great aunt to 29 and had many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gene on April 1, 1994, brothers Thomas and John Ferguson and sister Margaret O’Brien.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 15th at 2:30 PM at the St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett St. Fond du Lac with Father Adrian Staehler will officiate and burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Eden.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 15th from 1:00 PM until time of mass at St. Francis Home Chapel.
In Lieu of flowers memorials are appreciated to NAMI, St. Francis Home or St. Claire Terrace.
The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Sergi for his care over the years and to the staff of St. Clare Terrace and St. Francis Home.
The Twohig Funeral Home of Fond du Lac is serving the family with the arrangements with online guestbook and condolences atwww.twohigfunerals.com.