Rosemary A. Chestnut 1930-2024

As a 1950 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Rosemary often recounted the crazy things that her class did when she was a senior, such as rolling the stairwells of WWHS with toilet paper and hiding school supplies from their teachers. In 1952, she married Paul Chestnut and began an adventure that would see her residing in Newport, Rhode Island; Youngstown; Hubbard; Loudon, Tennessee; back to Hubbard; and finally, North Lima. Rosemary and Paul traveled to Hawaii, Haiti, Aruba, Mexico and up and down the Eastern seaboard. Paul passed away Jan. 5, 2016, and Rosemary swore he died because he didn’t listen to her many admonitions about eating right (“Put down that capicola!”) and exercising. Her family expects that upon their heavenly reunion, Rosemary continued her sage advice, much to Paul’s chagrin.

Rosemary’s father was a professional baker and her mother was an accomplished seamstress, two talents that she inherited. Rosemary loved her sweets and was affectionately known to her grandkids as “Grandma Doughnuts,” because every Saturday, after getting her hair done at the local salon, she would bring a dozen doughnuts to share with them. She made cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes, cookies and the occasional fruit-based dessert, which she deemed to be “healthy.” She always had treats for her many “granddogs” too, and didn’t hesitate to share a breakfast sweet roll or Pop Tart with them.

In spite of her love for all things sugary (or maybe because of it), she also modeled a life of great balance, because she loved to exercise too! Her kids would find her doing calisthenics with Paige Palmer and Jack LaLanne, “The Original Workout” with Jane Fonda or “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” with Richard Simmons. Her fitness level was legendary and she could run circles around most people until she was in her late 70s. Rosemary and her sister, Barbara, grew up dancing and spent many hours practicing tap, ballet and jazz. Rumor has it that they were offered auditions with the Rockettes but their mother said there was no way two young girls were going to New York City, which was perceived to be a den of mayhem and debauchery. Rosemary took her love of dance into her adulthood though. After a week of hard work, she and Paul would use the weekend to join their large circle of friends on the dance floor. Paul complained that Rosemary wouldn’t let him lead, but she thought the lead should be taken by the better dancer, so she won that battle. Polkas, disco, ballroom … you name it, they were on the floor at every opportunity and they were fun to watch!

Her love of sewing, especially quilting, was evident in the many handmade treasures her family continues to hold dear. Her children and grandchildren were the lucky recipients of many beautiful quilts, featuring such themes as Christmas, nature, movies like Star Wars and Cars, teddy bears and other interests. Ever the supportive mother and grandmother, Rosemary showed up for piano recitals, spelling bees, sporting events and anything else her kids and grandkids were doing. She never tired of asking her grandsons, “Are you still playing basketball?” or providing advice on romance with zingers like “It’s better to play the field!” While her memory faded due to Alzheimer’s, her wit remained razor-sharp. When asked by the caring staff at Assumption “How are you feeling today?”, she would put on a sarcastic smile and reply “With my hands.” A song was never far from her lips, with classics like “Night Fever” (Yes, the Bee Gees were a favorite!), “A Bicycle Built for Two” and “Roll Out the Barrel” on her go-to song list.

Now for the remainder of the obituary, let’s cover the other facts. Rosemary was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Hubbard and St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Lenoir City, Tennessee. She was a press operator at Sherwin Williams, and then U.S. Can, for 30 years, retiring in 1995.

She leaves a son, Mark Chestnut of Grass Lake, Michigan; two daughters, Mary Ann Johnson of Hubbard, and Sandi Bramblett and her husband, Matt of Atlanta, Georgia; former son-in-law, Jim Dripps of Hubbard; a sister, Barbara Fullerman of Boardman; five grandchildren, Angela (Kim), Matthew, Brittany (Frank), Zachary and Nicholas; as well as four great-grandchildren, Kevin, Claire, Trent and Korey.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; two sisters, Irene Hedberg and Theresa Kuzman; two brothers, Albert Makara and Edward Makara; and a grandson, Michael Dripps.

Family and friends may call 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday May 7, 2024, at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Hubbard. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon, with the Very Rev. Michael Swierz officiating.

Rosemary’s final resting place will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Hermitage, Pa., next to her beloved husband, Paul, who is no doubt wondering why it took her so long to get there.

Please visit www.kcummins.com to view this obituary and to send condolences to the family.

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