Rosemarie Veronica McGrath Turcotte (Rose) died November 25th, 2016, one day after her 60th wedding anniversary. She was born on August 7, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA to Thomas and Anna McGrath. In her final days, Rose shared sweet moments with her family, telling them not to despair, for she had lived “a long and happy life.”
Rose graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia. After joining the workforce and taking college courses in the Philadelphia area, she served the US Military in Europe as a civilian during the reconstruction effort following WWII. While in France, she met Francis Turcotte with whom she began a courtship before returning to the United States. They married on November 24, 1956 and celebrated 58 years together. Their love and marriage produced a large and close-knit family, that took them from Boston to New Jersey, to New Hampshire. They enjoyed their early years of retirement in their dream home they built together on Lake Opeechee in Laconia, NH. They later moved to the Nevins Community in Londonderry where Rose’s kindness and wit earned them many more close friendships. Their home was a gathering place for generations of family and friends and was always full of laughter and cheer, following Rose’s example.
Rose leaves behind son Francis X. Turcotte, Jr. and his wife Mary E. (Missy) Kirk Turcotte of East Brunswick, NJ, son Edward Turcotte of Pembroke, NH, daughter Dianne and husband John Bzik of Bedford, NH, and daughter Jennifer and husband Christopher Humphrey of Kennebunk, ME. Rose leaves eight grandchildren: Francis X. Turcotte III and his wife Nicole Raff-Turcotte, Holly Turcotte Monahan and her husband Brendan Monahan, Brandon Turcotte and his wife Kyung Eun Heou Turcotte, Lara Bzik and her fiancé Kyle Galarneau, Brian and Emma Bzik, and Jackson and Anna Humphrey. Also surviving are her ten great grandchildren: Bryona, Brielle, and Baylee Raff; Devan, Carter, Shaylee and Brynley Monahan; Alexis, Caleb, and Aria Turcotte; as well as many other beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Rose was predeceased by her husband Francis X. Turcotte, Sr., their son Thomas and daughter Christine, her siblings Bill, John, Tom, and Marge McGrath, Anne Gallagher, Betty Gerlach, and Kathleen Kolakowski Senn.
In Boston and New Jersey, Rose worked part time as a secretary in addition to raising her children and volunteering at children’s wards of local hospitals and for the March of Dimes. While living in Bedford, NH, Rose worked full time at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester as Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Clinical Services. Rose was known for planning exciting travel adventures and celebrations with family and friends. She will be remembered by those who had the privilege to know her as an exceedingly selfless, kind, fun-loving and intelligent woman, dedicated to her family and faith.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 from 5-7pm at Peabody Funeral Home, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at 9:30am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, New York 10605. www.marchofdimes.org/giving