ROSEMARY D ZALNERAITIS (CRAMPTON )

Rosemary Dodge {Crampton) Zalneraitis, born February 18, 1929, went to her eternal rest on
February 1, 2023. She was wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma (GG), aunt, and friend.

Mom married at age 15, having never completed the 9th grade. Despite a lack of formal education, she possessed an amazing natural wisdom and boundless love of her husband and children.

Our mother faced adversity in a quiet and dignified way, always supportive of all of us no matter what we did or what came our way. She worked her fingers until they were cracked and at times bleeding. There was never a complaint about two loads of wash a day, cleaning the house, working in the garden or preparing three meals for 11 or 12 people each and every day. She had 9 children, 6 boys and 3 girls. She took in another boy when his father was killed in an accident and his mother could not provide for him. Again, with love and support, and without complaint.

We do remember how quiet and patient she could be.

Mom loved being a Mom. She taught us nursery rhymes and songs and read books to us. One of my favorites was the poem by Robert Louis Stevenson titled “The Swing”. I always thought of it when my kids would be swinging in the yard. Also, by Stevenson, the poem, The Land of Counterpane. She would recite it to us when we were sick in bed.

A book that would describe our life with Mom is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It really never mattered if you were one of Rosemary’s children or just someone she knew. If you needed help. She would rather help another than have for herself. The more help you needed, the harder she would work to help you out.

She was very generous with her time and talent of child caring. After we were all in school and she could have some time to herself, she started daycare for various working mothers. The living room was always knee-high in toys. When people would come to get their children, she would call out to them “Step high, I’m in the kitchen.”

We can’t remember Mom without remembering her love for music. She loved country music, Solid Gold Oldies, light rock. She rocked the 3rd floor of her assisted living home with her music. Even a few of the staff would come in early to rock with the music and go through Mom’s exercise routine. She loved to dance and continued to move her feet even after her legs couldn’t support her.

I know each of us have had very different experiences and memories with Mom but I know I am going to miss our daily chats and jokes. She said to me just a short time ago that we should never stop laughing. Right on Mom!

Rosemary was a very special person by her nature and her experiences, and she accomplished more than many with more privilege have been able to do in their lifetimes. She deserves our admiration and gratitude, and eternal peace and joy with God.

She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert, her brothers Elmer and Gilbert, her sister Audrey, her two sons Raymond and Roger and very special “son” Joseph Chase, son-in-law Andreas Panagiotopoulos.

The dear ones she leaves behind are sons Herbert, Jr.(Jan), Edwin (Andrea), Donald, and Richard (Shelly), daughters Nancy (Alan), Sherryanne (Bob), and Sheila. Also, 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the family from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. in the funeral home.