Rosemary Osborn

Mrs. Rosemary Osborn, age 86, passed away Monday, August 19, 2013 at Sanctuary at the Park. She was born in Bay City, MI on June 6, 1927 to Robert & Rosalie (Yanna) Wilson and married Frank Osborn. Mrs. Osborn was a bartender at the Alibi in Twin Lake and the American Legion in Brunswick. She will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the Staff at Sanctuary at the Park for their kindness, love and care for Grammy. SURVIVORS Children, Renee Kempman of Grant, Carl (Sherrie) Mullins of Bay City, David (Sue) Osborn, Kathy Osborn, Steve Osborn; many grandchildren & great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband Frank; children, Shirley Carpenter, Rebecca Mullins, Terry Carpenter, Phil Kempten. Rosemary was a very social person and had very close relationships with everyone she met. This is evidenced in the fact that there are so many names she was known by both with her patrons, friends, family and caregivers. Charlotte, Rosemary, Rose, Rosie, the name most often heard in the bar, and Char. Now, hang on because here is the list from her children, grandchildren and caregivers at Sanctuary. Ma, Mumma, Dear, Darling, Gram, Grammy, Uno, Uno Mom, Nana, Gramma, Gramma Rose, Rosie, Grandma. Those of us that remember her will always hear her caregiver Todd walking Rosemary down the hall at Sanctuary saying in his booming voice, " come on Rosie, let's get going!" Todd went to heaven weeks before Charlotte, perhaps to be the first to greet her when she arrived! She knew Todd was gone but didn't discuss it with anyone after his passing. She was born the youngest of 6 children and was the baby of the family in every sense of the word. Rosemary grew up in a working class family in Bay City Michigan and learned at an early age the importance of hard work. She spent her entire life working hard and providing for her family. There are stories of how Rosemary would work the late shift at the Alibi or Dorothy's and then restock the coolers, drop off the nightly deposit and then drive home at 3am and start her day with her children or Grandchildren in the morning. Black coffee and cigarettes often accompanied her morning ritual! At Sanctuary, Rosie was sometimes overheard lamenting the days of an Old Milwaukee and a cigarette...til her very last day, there were standing doctors orders for a shot of whiskey...although she never really wanted it. Rosemary loved animals! Aunt Reney tells of Rosemary's fathers horses ,Tip and Maude and how he courted Little Grandma on horse-drawn carriage rides. This love for animals may have been the driving factor in Rosemary begging for a monkey when she was just a young girl. Little Grandpa finally gave in and the chimp came home! It was a disaster! And....fast forward years and while she was at the Alibi bar, there was a second monkey adventure! Velvet was hilarious, naughty and sneaky...you could mention velvet to Rosemary right up til the end and she would wrinkle up her nose and tell you that monkey was BAAAAD. Interestingly enough, she rescued velvet from a neglectful owner. There were many dogs, cats, ducks, chickens and a bear! Yes, a bear. While Rosemary and Grandma O lived in Hesperia, there was a bear that made his way along the creek bed and dug a large hole there. Rose called the DNR to inquire what to do. They suggested that she leave him alone,that he may hibernate there and would leave in the spring. Well, if you knew her, you know following directions was not a priority! Rosemary fed the bear table scraps and baked especially to feed him and kept him comfortable for as long as he stayed! Years later she would tell the story like it was no big deal....doesn't everyone feed wild bears? If it had at least two wheels and a motor, Rosemary wanted to be in it, on it, drive it if she could! She LOVED cars and motorcycles. There were plenty of Friday and Saturday nights at the races at Berlin. It's safe to say that the two favorite possessions in her life were her baby blue Cadillac and Grandpa Franks pink vintage Harley. You could see Rosemary headed down M120 every night in that blue Cadillac...I'm sure she was traveling the speed limit! She enjoyed hearing about her families car purchases and stories and this was often conversation at the nursing home. Somewhere, there is a picture of Rosemary sitting in her wheel chair at Sanctuary, watching her friend John drive off on his bike...she was heard to say "oh that's a beauty"! Rosemary and Grandpa Frank may have arrived at weddings and special events on the pink Harley. For her, those were some of the best times. Music was another dear love for Rosie. She never gave up this special love and spent her last days listening and tapping her toes to some great old gospel, country and vintage music. Even when it became difficult to speak, she was mouthing the words to "I'll fly away" and " I wouldn't take nothin for my journey now". What a strong woman with an amazing, bigger than life spirit! Many of her grandchildren have pursued music and have a love for it that was nurtured and helped along by Rosemary. She was an accomplished organist that played standards and popular music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. "Crazy" by Patsy Cline was often heard swelling from that old Hammond B3...well before it was cool to know what a B3 was. Rosemary's children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and yes, great, great grandchildren meant everything to her. She loved to be surrounded by family and often planned big parties for as many as she could get at one time. In later years, the loss of two of her children deeply affected her. She never discussed their loss, but carried the burden with her for the remaining days of her life. She is with Shirley and Becky now, as well as Terry, Phil and Grandpa Frank. Hers was a race well run, with many bumps and bruises along the way. Rosemary loved deeply, worked hard and was always there with a kind word. If she were here today, she would tell each of you she loved you, to be strong and to go on and be productive. Make a difference for yourselves and your families and most importantly, to remember who you are...The children of Rosemary! CELEBRATION OF LIFE Friday, August 23, 2013, 7:00 PM at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Chaplain Jayne Yonkman officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. MEMORIAL: St. Jude Children's Hospital.