NORWICH – Rosemary E. Smith, 83, of Surfside Beach, S.C., and Norwich, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Terri Jo and Richard Hawley.
Born in Oswego in January of 1927, Rosemary was a daughter of the late James and Hazel Shortslef. She married the “love other life,” James H. Smith, in Oswego on April 7, 1947. Through this union they were blessed with five children. Rosemary was an amazing and devoted wife, mother, grandmother “nannie,” great grandmother, and a friend to all.
Rosemary attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Garden City, S.C., and St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Churches in Norwich.
Rosemary is survived by her children and their spouses: Leonard “Bill” and Bonnie Smith, James and Linda Smith, and Michael and Bev Smith, all of Norwich, and Terri Jo and Richard Hawley of Surfside Beach, S.C.; and grandchildren and their spouses: Kelly Smith of Philadelphia, Pa., Andrew and Nellie Smith, Amy Smith, and Brandon and Dawn Phillips, all of Norwich, Jason and Robin Bessett of Sidney, Jamie and Brandon Bessett-Crisp of Surfside Beach, S.C., Jennifer and Kirk Hawley-Price of Naperville, Ill., Timothy and Leslie Hawley of Linwood, N.C., Jill Hawley of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Also surviving are great grandchildren: Cole Smith, Esper and Lillian Phillips, Brandon and Sarah Bessett, Taylor Hawley; a special and dear friend who was like a daughter, Cynthia Thompson; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Hazel Shortslef; her husband, James H. Smith; her daughter, Michele Bessett; siblings Catherine Joynt, Amos Shortslef, Clarice Morcely, Marjorie June Shortslef, Anna Sonsone; and her granddaughter, Melissa Bessett.
A Memorial Mass for Rosemary will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday from St. Bartholomew’s Church. The Rev. Lester Smith, pastor of St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Friday from 12:30 p.m. until the Mass at 1:30. Following the interment at St. Paul’s Cemetery, the family will receive friends to celebrate the life of Rosemary at the Ontario Restaurant.
The family appreciates the kindness and compassion of Tidelands Community Hospice. A special thanks to the staff of Inlet Cardio Pulmonary & Associates, especially Drs. John Ijem, Thomas Chandler, and Michele Lively. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Rosemary’s memory to Tidelands Community Hospice, 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.