Rosemary Breen Real

Rosemary Breen Real of Pawleys Island, S.C., formerly of Bradford, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, in Pawleys Island, S.C. She was 88 years old. Rosemary was born Dec. 26, 1921, at home in Bradford, Ill. She was the sixth and youngest child of Robert and Nora Breen. Her father was the editor and publisher of the Bradford Republican, the town''s weekly newspaper. She attended St. John''s Catholic School, where she met her future husband, Robert J. Real, in the first grade. They were childhood sweethearts throughout grade school and graduated together from Bradford High School. Following high school, Rosemary enrolled in St. Francis College in Joliet, Ill., where she earned a bachelor''s degree with a major in music. She returned to Bradford, where she worked in a bank and played the organ at St. John''s Church. In 1945, she married Bob, who had returned from serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. She and Bob moved to South Bend, Ind., where he attended the University of Notre Dame. To support themselves, they worked at the Studebaker motor factory. She loved to attend Notre Dame football games and was a lifelong fan of the team. Rosemary and Bob moved to Rock Island, Ill., following graduation, and Bob entered the department store business and became a retail manager and executive. They soon moved to Ohio, where Rosemary raised their five boys and Bob worked for May Co. department stores in Barberton, Mansfield and Akron. Rosemary loved to read, and she worked for the Akron Public Library and a local school. Later, she sold real estate in the greater Akron area. She was an avid painter and produced many colorful landscapes and natural subjects. After retiring, she and Bob bought an RV camper and traveled from coast to coast in the United States. They also made trips abroad, visiting Ireland, England, France, Israel, Greece, Mexico and other countries. As they grew older, they split their time between their home in Stow, Ohio, and their condominium in Venice, Fla., where Rosemary lived close to her sisters, Margie and Clare. She and Bob took great joy in staying in contact with their family. Rosemary was predeceased by Bob, her husband of 57 years, who died in 2003. Following his death, she moved near her son, Terrence, and his family in Pawleys Island. She is survived by her five sons, and she was very proud that they all graduated from college. Her sons and their spouses are Mark and Sue Real of Columbus, Ohio, Terrence and Amy Real of Pawleys Island, David Real of Oakland, Calif., Kevin Real of Lexington, Ky., and Daniel and Susan Real of Burr Ridge, Ill. She also is survived by seven grandchildren, Megan Real, Emma Real, Conor Real, Chelsea Real, Nora Real, Evelyn Real and Patrick Real; and 38 nieces and nephews. Rosemary''s four sisters, Evelyn Mowbray, Catherine Real, Margaret Rainey and Clare Russell, and her brother, Robert Breen, preceded her in death. Rosemary will be buried in St. John''s Catholic Cemetery in Bradford, Ill., next to her husband. Her parents and other family members are buried there as well. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Bradford. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 18, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bradford, with Father Harold Schmitt officiating. Memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.