Rosemary Agnes Keefe

Rosemary 99 passed away Wednesday 2-2-2022 in Hospice care at Poppen House in Fruitport, MI.. She is survived by George Jr. (Barb) Keefe, Ronald (Marilyn) Keefe, Timothy (Liz) Keefe, Kathleen Lee, Patricia (Bob) Bielski, Jeanne Cutler, Joanne (Steve) Petersen. 24 grandchildren, 62 great-grand children, 1 great-great grandchildren. Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband George H. Keefe Sr., son-in-law's Bob Cutler and Fred (Skip) Lee, Parents Paul & Aurelia(LaBelle) Malburg, 11 siblings and many nieces and nephews. The Requiem Mass will take place at St. Josephs in Weare, MI April 23 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to The Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice House Fruitport Mi., VFW 8846 N. Muskegon or a charity of your choice. ------- Rosemary grew up on a farm in rural Oceana County. During her 99 years her experiences ranged from the days of the horse and buggy to today's modern high tech world. After graduation from Hart High School, Rosemary and a girlfriend moved to Muskegon and took jobs at the Amazon Knitting Co. It was there that she met the love of her life George H. Keefe, Sr. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, George joined the U.S. Air Force while Rosemary moved to Detroit where she served her country as a "Rosie the Riveter." Her story, along with those of other Rosies, is now in the Yankee Air Museum in Belleville, Michigan and in the Library of Congress. Rosemary's "Rosie Story" can also be found on YouTube. She was honored in Muskegon in 2019 at the LST D-day celebration. It was truly a special day for her. On August 21, 1943, Rosemary and George were married while he was on leave. She continued to work at the Woodland Plant in Detroit until she joined George at an Air Force base in North Carolina, to which he had been transferred. When the war ended, they moved back to the Muskegon area where they raised their 7 children. We want to thank everyone who helped Rosemary in her later years bringing her meals, talking with her on the phone for hours, and visiting her on her porch on beautiful days. Thanks also to those constantly in Rosemary's life: Granddaughter Kimberly Cooke, neighbors Tom & Joni Bennetts, Liz and Tom Trazka and caregivers Safya, Anna, Cindy and Lila. Her last months were comforted by the dedicated, caring team at the Lilah & Cyrus Poppen House Hospice home. Rosemary was a wise force of good in so many lives in her 99 1/2 years. She was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Muskegon Mi. Rest in Peace Rosemary - we look forward to seeing you again.