There are steel magnolias, but on November 14, 2012 we lost an iron rose. Rosemary McQuade Walter died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by people who loved her. She lived every minute of her 90 years to their fullest--warm, tenacious, graceful, big-hearted, loyal and utterly committed to the truth, flinty to her last day. Anyone who met her didn’t very likely forget her.
Her devoted husband, Bill survives her. They were married 68 loving and dedicated years. Rosemary is also survived by her daughter Andrea (Hoff) and her son Chip. No two children ever loved a finer mother. Her seven grandchildren Gary, Gregory, Steven, Terrence (T.J.), Matthew, Molly and Hannah will miss her smile, warmth, kindness and wisdom. So will her two great-grandchildren. She had five sisters: Mavis, Eleanor, Agnes (Toots), Loretta and her youngest, Margaret, who survives her.
Please join the family Mon., 6-8 pm at Freyvogel Slater Funeral Directors, 112 Fort Couch Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. A memorial service and celebration of Rosemary’s life will also be held Wed. 2-3 pm. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow Kitchen Community Services; c/o Donna Little; 135 East 9th Ave., Homestead PA 15120 (online atwww.rainbowkitchen.org). Or to Bridges Hospice; c/o Marci Kitzer. 548 State Route 130, Trafford, Pa. 15085.
Rosemary was a tireless wife, mother, grandmother and volunteer who worked hard to help people who needed it as a volunteer for many years with the 20th Century Club, Meals on Wheels, Holy Angels Church and Magee Women’s Hospital. She was born a West Virginia coal miner’s daughter (and proud of it), but moved to Pittsburgh during World War II as a young woman where she found the love of her life and became the classy, beautiful woman we will all miss.