Rosemary Catherine Kearney of Raleigh, NC died peacefully on 7/13/2014 at home with family at her side.

She was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on June 25, 1924 and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1942. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart & future husband John J. Kearney. They were married on April 7, 1947. They remained in Pittsfield where they raised their family. She worked at GE Naval Ordnance Dept. until her retirement in 1982. She & John later moved to Williston, VT where they lived for 13 years before relocating to Raleigh in 2004 to be near family.

Rosemary was blessed with a rich & full life and will be remembered for her devotion to serving her family, especially with the love that emanated from her kitchen, and for her generous spirit. She made over 100 intricate Irish afghans and over the years gave them all away. She knew the names of the wildflowers, the stars and each of the migrating Spring Warblers & Fall Hawks. But more important to her was that God knew her name and inscribed her on the palm of His hand (IS.49:16)

She was predeceased by her parents William Bergain & Rose Menard Bergain as well as her sister Lucille Bergain Condron.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years John J. Kearney; son John J. Kearney Jr. & wife Marybeth of Dalton, MA; daughter Kathleen Andersen & husband Henry of Raleigh; 6 grandchildren, Kelly Parkington; Matthew Andersen & wife Beth; Karen Loyd & husband Keith; Emilee Legge & husband Michael; Colleen Kearney; Brian Kearney & wife Melissa. She also leaves 8 great grandchildren, Stephen, Samantha & Emma Parkington, Alyssa & Andrew Andersen, Grace Loyd, Arden Legge & Ryan Winchell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to, Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607, or the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 Raleigh NC 27612.