1920
Rosemary
2016
Rosemary A. Gorham
April 9, 1920 — November 19, 2016
Rosemary A. Gorham, age 96, passed away November 19, 2016 at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton, Michigan.
Rosemary was a life long resident of Barry County. Born April 9, 1920 to Charles and Frances Jacobs, on a farm along the Thornapple River, which later became Charlton Park.
She moved to town at the age of seven and attended Hastings Schools, graduating in 1938. She attended Western University for two years, leaving to go into civil service during the war years. She worked at Kellogg Air Force Base and Percy Jones Hospital for the officers air force retirement board.
She married high school class mate, Robert Gorham, April 23, 1946 at a ceremony at St. Rose of Lima Church in Hastings.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years on March 23, 2001, her parents, Charles and Frances Jacobs, three brothers, Rev. Charles Jacobs, Mel Jacobs, and Gordon Jacobs, also nephew, Steven Jacobs.
She is survived by a daughter, Dr. Marion Gorham of Kalamazoo, a son, Dr. Robert Gorham (Erin), two grandsons, Garrett and Gabe of Kalamazoo, newphew, John Jacobs of Hastings, Fred (Pattie) Jacobs of Hastings, Jeffrey (Susan) Jacobs of Memphis, TN, nieces, Joyce (Jim) Ryan, of Ann Arbor, Sue (Gordon) Squires of Plainwell, Jan (Marty) Nieko of Kalamazoo, and Pam (Tom) Hamilton of Delton.
Rosemary's work was an important part of her life. She worked nearly 50 years for the Hastings Reminder (J-ad Graphics). She enjoyed working with her brother, Mel and his wife, Alice and their family when the paper was first established. She continued to work for the business as it grew, and developed lasting friendships amoung her co-workers.
Rosemary's primary focus was her family. She coordinated all activities at the family cottage on Wall Lake. Along with her husband, Bob, Rose enjoyed supporting her childrens participation in many horse shows around Barry County. In later years she enjoyed rooting for family owned horses in races throughout Michigan, up to her 86th year.
She was a life long member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Hastings.
Memorial contribution may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church, 805 S. Jefferson St., Hastings, MI 49058 or the American Heart Association.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11:00 am, at St. Rose of Lima Church. Fr. Richard Altine, celebrant. Interment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.
Rosemary was a life long resident of Barry County. Born April 9, 1920 to Charles and Frances Jacobs, on a farm along the Thornapple River, which later became Charlton Park.
She moved to town at the age of seven and attended Hastings Schools, graduating in 1938. She attended Western University for two years, leaving to go into civil service during the war years. She worked at Kellogg Air Force Base and Percy Jones Hospital for the officers air force retirement board.
She married high school class mate, Robert Gorham, April 23, 1946 at a ceremony at St. Rose of Lima Church in Hastings.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years on March 23, 2001, her parents, Charles and Frances Jacobs, three brothers, Rev. Charles Jacobs, Mel Jacobs, and Gordon Jacobs, also nephew, Steven Jacobs.
She is survived by a daughter, Dr. Marion Gorham of Kalamazoo, a son, Dr. Robert Gorham (Erin), two grandsons, Garrett and Gabe of Kalamazoo, newphew, John Jacobs of Hastings, Fred (Pattie) Jacobs of Hastings, Jeffrey (Susan) Jacobs of Memphis, TN, nieces, Joyce (Jim) Ryan, of Ann Arbor, Sue (Gordon) Squires of Plainwell, Jan (Marty) Nieko of Kalamazoo, and Pam (Tom) Hamilton of Delton.
Rosemary's work was an important part of her life. She worked nearly 50 years for the Hastings Reminder (J-ad Graphics). She enjoyed working with her brother, Mel and his wife, Alice and their family when the paper was first established. She continued to work for the business as it grew, and developed lasting friendships amoung her co-workers.
Rosemary's primary focus was her family. She coordinated all activities at the family cottage on Wall Lake. Along with her husband, Bob, Rose enjoyed supporting her childrens participation in many horse shows around Barry County. In later years she enjoyed rooting for family owned horses in races throughout Michigan, up to her 86th year.
She was a life long member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Hastings.
Memorial contribution may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church, 805 S. Jefferson St., Hastings, MI 49058 or the American Heart Association.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11:00 am, at St. Rose of Lima Church. Fr. Richard Altine, celebrant. Interment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rosemary A. Gorham, please visit our flower store.
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