Rosemary “Rosie” Westbrook

Rosemary “Rosie” Westbrook was born March 4, 1935, in Washington, Mo., the daughter of Leo David and Lillie Sophie (Rohman) Grothaus.  She passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her husband and son at 5 a.m., Nov. 14, 2012.

She graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School with the class of 1953.  Rosemary was an honors student graduating near the top of her class.  Until her marriage, Rosemary worked at St. Francis Hospital in Washington, Mo.

Rosemary later worked at Brown & Root in Houston, Texas.  She was assistant to “Judge” Jessup, B&R legal counsel.

Rosemary retired after 18 years as assistant to Dr. Michael Keeling, director of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Veterinary Sciences Division in Bastrop, Texas.

In 1993, they became campground hosts in Montana, serving first at Sula and at Dickey Lake in 1994.  Because of their love for the area, they moved permanently to north Lincoln County where they had made their home at Fortine.  She had been a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish.

Rosemary enjoyed hiking in the outdoors, photography, feeding birds and the deer that visited near their home, gardening, sewing and quilts.

Survivors include her husband, Donald Westbrook; sons Daniel Westbrook, Timothy Westbrook and wife Jennifer; and Bob Kase and wife Karen; sister Bernadette Fortner and husband Richard; grandsons Justin Westbrook and Jackson Westbrook as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were a sister, Marilyn and a brother, Leo.

Funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday Nov. 28^,  at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka with reception following.  Rite of committal will be at Fortine Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka from 5 p.m. to 8 p.