O’Doherty, Rosemary A.

Rosemary A. O’Doherty, age 92, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on December 28, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, the love of her life, who passed away on April 25, 2021. Affectionately known to many as Grandma Rose, she was born on April 4, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Mary Hennessy. Grandma Rose is survived by her children, Kevin (Michele) and Kathy, and her grandchildren Kevin (Carrie), Meghan, who preceded in death in 2016, Molly (Brandon), and Ryan (Kate). Grandma Rose was so proud of her eight great-grandchildren, Eileen, Paige, Tom, Tess, Ronan, Scott, Gigi, and Finn. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews and cousin to a countless Hennessy clan. She is survived by her sister Betty Jelinek (Miles) and was preceded in death by her two brothers, William and Robert, and sister, Jane Conrath. After attending Academy of Our Lady High School, Grandma Rose began a short career at Illinois Bell Telephone, following in the footsteps of her father, William. In 1948 Grandma Rose and Grandpa Tom married and went on to celebrate 72 years of a loving marriage. In the early ‘60’s, Grandma Rose started a 20+ year career at a local trucking company, Cooper Jarrett, that lasted until her retirement in the 1970’s. She worked her way up at Cooper Jarrett from the billing department, right up to the docks. After being “bumped” by another union worker from the office, she took the only open position-outside on the docks as a forewoman. Rosemary tackled that job with the same zest with which she approached everything in life. In her retirement years, Grandma Rose and Grandpa Tom enjoyed their many trips with friends, and she especially relished their annual trip to their condo in Naples, Florida for the winter months, although her love of her family always prompted their return in late March or early April. Above all, Grandma Rose loved her family. Grandma Rose had the kindest, warmest, and most generous heart. She always took special care of her family and friends and made goody bags for them with love and thoughtfulness, filled with their favorite things. Grandma Rose loved to shop, dress with bling, decorate her home, and cook, especially her signature lasagna. Grandma Rose and Grandpa Tom made a life transition in November of 2018, moving into the assisted living community of Atria in Bolingbrook, where they enjoyed new friends and activities. It was Atria’s dedicated and loving staff that made Grandma Rose feel so at home. The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the staff at Atria for making Grandma Rose’s last years and final days so filled with abundant love and excellent care. The seamless coordination of care among Atria staff, Angels Grace Hospice, and her family members enabled Grandma Rose to pass on peacefully to her next adventure of being with her lifelong love, Grandpa Tom. A funeral/celebration of Grandma Rose’s life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=2&;sc_ icid=memfaq-lp-donate-text-notifyquestion

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