Rosemary Honore Owens
October 17, 1921 ~ October 13, 2021
Rosemary Honore Owens, 99, of Bradford died peacefully at her home on October 13, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was born in Geneseo, Illinois to James and Rose (O’Brien) Collins on October 17, 1921, the fourth of five children. She was preceded in death by her husband Gregory Arnold Owens on August 1, 1992. Her sisters Patricia Boehm, Frances Rudolf, Dorothy Voorhees and her brother James Collins all preceded her in death.
Rosemary graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport, Iowa in 1939. She attended Saint Francis School of Nursing in Peoria, Illinois, through the Cadet Nursing Program, graduating on September 10, 1946. Following her graduation from nursing school, Rosemary remained at St. Francis Hospital and worked in the obstetrics department there. She married Greg Owens of Bradford on September 18, 1948, at Visitation Church in Kewanee, Illinois. Rosemary is survived by her five children, Kathleen (Tim) Reuland of Aurora, Illinois; Dennis (Norene) Owens of Manhattan, Montana; James Owens of Bradford; John (Roxanne) Owens of Chicago, Illinois and Mary (Marc) Sussman of Chicago, Illinois. Rosemary is also survived by eight grandchildren, John (Jamie) Reuland, Meg Reuland, Tom Reuland (Lana Gersten), John Owens, Frank (Kelly) Owens, Joe (Corrie) Owens, Jimmy (Laura) Owens and Ruth Owens, and eleven great-grandchildren, Russell and Jerome Reuland, Simon and Ava Reuland, Hannah and Claire Owens, Lucy, Mary and Olivia Owens, and Jacob and Jane Owens.
Rosemary was a stay-at-home mother until her children graduated from college. She returned to the obstetrics department at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria to work for six years. She was active in the Bradford community as a longtime member of St. John’s Altar and Rosary Society, the Bradford American Legion Auxiliary #0445, and the Bradford Women’s League.
Rosemary’s family attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Bradford. She was a long-time supporter of EWTN, and for as long as she was able to attend, Rosemary always enjoyed the conversations and companionship she found with her friends at the Bradford Senior Center.
Visitation will be held at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, 217 East Main Street, Bradford, Illinois 61421, on Friday, October 22, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., preceded by recitation of the Rosary at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, October 23, 2021, an additional visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Rosemary at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 218 First Street, Bradford, Illinois 61421, followed by interment at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Bradford.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions and requests for Masses for the repose of Rosemary’s soul be sent to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 218 First Street, Bradford, Illinois 61421.
A magnificent Lady
Rosemary was such a kind person. I always enjoyed talking to her even though it’s been many years that we’ve been at the same places. Sending our sympathy to all the family.
After our son, Ryan, was born, Rosemary appeared at the door. After 43 years, I still remember how kind and reassuring she was. It was good to see a familiar face as a nurse. Our thoughts are with the family as they grieve such a sweet matriarch of the family.
Beautiful Aunt Rosemary…the end of an era, ‘Old Bradford’.
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your mother. The entire Owens family is in our thoughts and prayers. She was a lovely lady and will be missed.
God Bless