Rosemary Cary's Obituary
Rosemary Cary, age 81, of Grand Haven passed away Sunday, September 3, 2023, at her beloved summer residence in Empire. She was born November 4, 1941, in Bay City to John and Clarice (Goudreau) Sirmeyer. On November 28, 1992, she married Howard Garthwaite who preceded her in death on April 27, 2000. Rosemary graduated from Bay City St. Joseph Catholic School in 1959, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College, and a masters degree from Western Michigan University. She worked as a public school administrator for her entire career beginning with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, followed by Kent Intermediate School District, the Michigan State Board of Education, and finishing her career at Muskegon Area Intermediate School District.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Spring Lake and St. Philip Neri Catholic Church of Empire, as well as a former board member of Goodwill Industries. Rosemary was proud to have served as a Dominican Sisters associate. Books were a life long passion of hers. In addition to be an avid reader she was the de facto librarian of her book club and passed her love of reading to her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed travel, cooking, music, and gardening - but most of all she loved her family and friends and spending time with them. She will be missed by many.
She is survived by two sons, Peter Cary, and Timothy (Patty) Cary both of Grand Rapids; four grandchildren: Eamon, Isabel, Julia, and Wyatt; step-grandchild, Natasha (Brandon) Hoving; siblings: Anne VandenBrooks, Jeanne Shelley, and John (Cyndi) Sirmeyer; the Howard Garthwaite family and nephew Dan Sirmeyer. She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws: Thomas VandenBrooks, Peter Shelley, Connie Sirmeyer; and niece Laura VandenBrooks.
Rosemary’s family would like to express thanks and gratitude to her friends at Dorsey Cottages on Little Glen Lake for their care, support, and love as she transitioned from the earthly world to the spiritual realm.
Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, September 16, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake. Visitation will be held 5-7 PM Friday, September 15, 2023, at The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St. Spring Lake, MI 49456. Memorial contribution in memory of Rosemary may be given to Hospice of North Ottawa Community. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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