Mary Rosier, 95, of Ottawa, passed away Friday evening, October 7, 2022.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 15th at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Fr. Michael Driscoll officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
Mary was born May 29, 1927, in Ottawa, IL, to Thomas and Victoria (Pfeiffer) Grossman. She married Jack Rosier in 1947 in Ottawa. He passed August 15, 1998.
She worked for, and later retired from, the City of Ottawa Water Department, and was a member of AFSCME Local 2819.
She attended St. Francis Grade School and graduated from St. Xavier High School.
She loved to travel, and did so with her husband Jack, until his passing, then she continued traveling with her friends. When her son Dan retired, they traveled together for many years throughout the U.S. and Canada. And for several years she enjoyed spending a few weeks in Florida each winter to get out of the cold and snow in Illinois.
She also loved Bluegrass and Country Music and attended many Bluegrass Festivals and Country Music Concerts, and made many trips to Nashville, TN and Branson, MO.
She was a long-time Die Hard Cubs Fan, and cheered them on through the good times and the bad, and was elated when her Cubbies won the 2016 World Series. She attended quite a few Cubs games at Wrigley Field with her sister Marcella, her son Dan, or with her friends.
She enjoyed going to plays at Circa 21, Drury Lane, The Barn II, and Engle Lane where she held season tickets for several years.
Playing BINGO, or an occasional trip to one of the gambling boats with her friends was something she enjoyed also.
She is survived by her daughter, Patti Arnold of Louisiana, her sons, Jack (Jenny) Rosier of Massachusetts, and Dan Rosier of Ottawa, four grandchildren, Shannon Miller, Matthew (David) Arnold, Sarah (Brian) Waits, and Katie (Charles) Soignet, five great-grandchildren, Dylan, Bo, Theo, Ocean, and Charles III, along with several nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jack Rosier, her sisters, Betty Blazik and Marcella Bliss, her brother, Bob Grossman, and her nephew, Larry ‘Buffalo’ Bell.
Mary’s family would like to express our most sincere gratitude and thanks to the staff of Ottawa Pavilion, especially the 600 Wing, for providing excellent care, comfort, and compassion to our Mom while she was with you!
Also a very special thank you to the Doctor, Nurses, CNAs, Social Worker, Chaplain, and Volunteers of OSF Hospice for always being there, 24/7 whenever we needed you, as well as for each of your regular scheduled visits each week! You continually went above and beyond our hopes and expectations, and gave Mom the absolute best care and comfort, from your first visit on. She always looked forward to seeing each of you and enjoyed every visit.
We also want to thank Mom’s long-time home care Aide, Tiffany Perry. Your visits always put a smile on her face, and made her day. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you to everyone who has offered their prayers and support.
Memorials may be directed to Ottawa Friendship House, PADS Homeless Shelter, or the Community Food Basket in Ottawa.
Mary has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper at Oakwood Memorial Park.