Rosemarie Gray

Rosemarie Gray of Manitowish WI, passed into her glorious eternal life on July 20th, 2016 at the Seasons of Life Hospice in Woodruff, where she received loving care. Rosemarie was born June 25, 1940 in Chicago IL to Rose (McKeown) and Walter Tyszkiewicz. Growing up in Chicago Illinois, Rosemarie had two brothers and one sister: Edward Tyszkiewicz (Arlene Tyszkiewicz), Daniel Tyszkiewicz (now deceased), and Margaret Zumpano (Anthony Zumpano). At 16 years old, Rosemarie married Donald Gray. This year they celebrated 59 years of marriage. Rose and Don had 4 children together, Rebecca Vukovich (Kevin Vukovich, now deceased), James Gray (Regina Gray), Jennifer Mann (Lyle Mann), Marilyn Pelc (George Pelc), and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rose and Don adored their beloved pet dog and constant companion Willie, who also stayed with Rosemarie at the Seasons of Life in her final days. More than anything else, Rosemarie loved to visit with her family. Her favorite drinks were tea and whiskey. She was known for her dry Irish humor and endless Irish quips. Rosemarie loved to sew in her younger days. She was known for her bread baking through all the years her children were growing up, and in the end requested that the tradition would be carried on. She was proud of her mother’s Irish heritage, and of her father’s noble Lithuanian heritage. Rosemarie recited the rosary daily. She enjoyed world travel and reading books. She especially enjoyed working hard to serve people throughout her life, mostly as a waitress. She suffered with scoliosis, and had multiple back surgeries for it, becoming a life long friend of her hero-surgeon, Dr. Tribeu. She was a lung cancer survivor. Rosemarie enjoyed the kindness and the camaraderie of the Howard Young Pulmonary Rehabilitation team in Woodruff. Rosemarie’s passion in her later life was her friendships and volunteer work at The Paw Resale shop in Mercer. There will be a mass said for Rosemarie July 28, 2016 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, WI at 11AM, for which Rosemarie requested a dress code of “casual Northwoods attire”. Lunch will follow in the church basement. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Paw Shop of Mercer School, PO Box 106, Mercer, WI 54547. Bolger Funeral and Cremation Services is handling cremation and funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.bolgerfuneral.com. Irish Blessing from our Wild Irish Rose: May the road rise to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rain fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Rosemarie Gray

June 25, 1940 - July 20, 2016