Rosemary Wilcher

Every once in a while, one encounters an individual whose life was filled with so much love and joy that it is evident this person lived a life that was truly blessed. Rosemary Wilcher was one of these people. She spent many years giving and receiving love. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Rosemary lived her life with an open heart and a giving spirit.

The 1930s are a notoriously frightening time in United States’ history. After the collapse of the stock market in 1929, the U.S. found itself facing a time of great change and hardships, but also a time that built strength and perseverance. With Herbert Hoover in the White House, Babe Ruth wowing the world on the baseball field, and Mickey Mouse making his first appearances in comic strips, this was a time of many beginnings. In Mooresville, Indiana, Robert and Susan (Watson) VanHoy were preparing their home for the beginning of a new life. On November 1, 1931, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child at home, a beautiful daughter they named Rosemary. She was later joined by two younger sisters, Nancy and Ann, who completed the VanHoy household.

Rosemary enjoyed a typical childhood of the time. She and her sisters were always very close and undoubtedly filled their home with their share of laughter, arguments and memories. So much so that Rosemary and her sister Nancy later married brothers, making their relationship even more special. Later, when her mother died at the age of 57, Rosemary took on the role of a mother figure to her younger sisters, something she performed with great pride.

Rosemary received her education in the Mooresville area schools, and graduated from Mooresville High in 1949. A year later, Rosemary’s life took a new direction when she married the love of her life, Curt Wilcher, on February 4, 1950. Over the next few years, the couple was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kate and Pam, who brought them great pride and joy. Rosemary was a wonderful mother; she was patient, caring and generous with her time. She never thought twice about going out of her way to help someone who needed her. When the family moved to the Hadley Woodland neighborhood in Mooresville, Rosemary put her great organizational skills to good use, putting together an annual neighborhood party, which everyone loved and brought them together as a close-knit community.

Rosemary had a generous spirit and loved to give of her time and talents. Her kindness, in all its forms, touched many hearts and earned her great respect and love in her community. As a business woman, Rosemary owned Colonial Quilts for 14 years before retiring in 2006. Church was also a very important part of her life, and she was a faithful member of Grace Church in Camby. One of her most loved tasks in her church was being head of the nursery ministry for over 20 years. Rosemary considered this work as a gift and blessing for she loved children, especially babies. Just recently, she inquired whether there would be babies in heaven that she could love. For her countless years of selfless volunteering, the church dedicated a children’s work table in the nursery in Rosemary’s name. Undoubtedly, Rosemary’s faith upheld her throughout her life, and brought her great peace. Her family just came to know that she had been avidly reading her Bible and making notes since 1978. She was truly a woman of great faith.

Rosemary led a simple and dignified life, filled with the family and friends who brought her life joy. She was strong in her opinion, but always a lady, and underneath her great sense of humor and cheerful outlook on life was a reservoir of strength, which those around her came to depend on. By example, Rosemary taught her loved ones many valuable lessons in life. Even in the end, she taught yet another one – perhaps one of the greatest - how to die with dignity. Rosemary bravely fought cancer for a long while without medicine or surgeries, while maintaining an unbreakable spirit. She was able to stay in the comfort of her own home with the help of her dear family. A true lady, she went last Thursday to get her hair done. As her body weakened, Rosemary was ready to rejoin her daughter, Kate, who had passed away a few years earlier, a loss she never truly was able to overcome. Rosemary died on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Rosemary will be lovingly remembered for her warmth, kindness, and wonderful sense of humor. Her legacy of love and dedication will be forever cherished.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her daughter, Kate Wilcher. Survivors include her husband, Curt Wilcher; daughter, Pam Williams (Tim) of Mooresville; sisters, Nancy Wilcher (Elwood) of Mooresville and Ann Prescott (Dick) of Mooresville; grandchildren, Shane (Rebecca) Williams, Bob (Debbie) Williams, and Belinda Williams; great grandchildren, Adam, Shawn, and Brooke Williams.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 15, in the Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel, Mooresville, with calling there from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 14. Cremation will follow the service. Inurnment will be in White Lick Cemetery, Mooresville. Pastor Jim Taylor will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Church, 4172 East Allison Road, Camby, IN 46113. Please visit Rosemary’s personal memory page at www.carlisleandson.com where you may share a memory or to sign the online guest registry.