Rosemary H. Anderson, 67
It is with great sadness that the family of Rosemary Anderson (nee Hetherington), announce her passing on January 20, 2019. Born on Staten Island in 1951 to the late Vivian (Delaney) and John Hetherington. Rosemary lived on Staten Island until moving to New Jersey in 1977, ultimately residing in Stirling, NJ, for the last 37 years.
Rosemary is survived by her husband of 46 years, Peter J. Anderson of Stirling, her children & their spouses Leigh A. Cooke and Michael of Toms River, NJ, Richard Anderson and Brian Stout of Hamilton, NJ; her sister Julie Wood and husband Warren Wood of Staten Island, brother Chris Hetherington of Bayside, NY, and longtime friend and sister-in-law, Maryann Anderson. Rosemary was a loving grandmother to Patrick Cooke and Nicholas Cooke, who brought great energy and joy to their beloved, “Coco.” She is also remembered fondly by a vast network of family, colleagues and friends.
Rosemary graduated Saint Peter’s High School for Girls, Staten Island, NY in 1969; graduated summa cum laude earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint John’s University in NY in 1973, and her Masters of Business Administration in Marketing from Pace University in NY in 1976.
Rosemary was active in her community, working with the Girl Scouts of America for 30+ years, and becoming one of the first female inductees to the Lion’s Club of Long Hill Township in 1993. She received the Saint Vincent de Paul Medal from the Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Stirling in 1998.
In addition to working in advertising at Burry Biscuit Company in Elizabeth, NJ; Hicks and Greist in Manhattan; and Lohmeyer Simpson in Morristown, NJ for over 20 years, and then starting her own marketing company, Rosemary’s legacy lives on in the work she did as the Development Director for Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, NJ. Rosemary embraced the Benedictine Way of Listen, Learn, Love, Lead for over 15 years. She encouraged the young women of BA to “think world-mindedly, look out for your neighbor, ask questions, and do not break faith with anyone in your community.”
Rosemary is remembered for her intelligence, determination, her selfless and giving personality, a terrific sense of humor, a love of all things French, and the belief that “A woman should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Friends and family are invited to join a celebration of the life of Rosemary on Thursday, January 24th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm, at Valley Memorial Funeral Home in Gillette, NJ. A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 25th at 10:00am, at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church located in Stirling, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Rosemary’s favorite causes: the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, 1579 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph, NJ 07869; or Benedictine Academy, 840 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208.