Rosemary Melvin
February 05, 1930 - May 01, 2016
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Rosemary Melvin
February 05, 1930 - May 01, 2016
Obituary
Rosemary was born in Pueblo, Colorado in February 1930. She attended a Catholic grammar school while living there. Rosemary’s parents, Wilbur and Rose Stocker, decided to move to California when she was finishing the eighth grade. They moved to a small town named Shafter. Rosemary attended high school in Shafter. After high school she went back to Colorado and attended Loretta Heights College for one year. She then returned to California and took a job in a doctor’s office in Bakersfield, CA. Within a year she met Earl Melvin and was married, started a family and lived in Taft, CA.
Through the years she raised 3 children, worked as a secretary and was active at St. Pius X Church in Santa Fe Springs.
Eventually Earl and Rosemary moved to San Juan Capistrano for retirement. They retired in 1982.
Rosemary became active at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. She taught CCD for 30 years, was a part of the choir, and volunteered for many activities such as the Mission Rummage Sale. She had a passion for her Catholic faith and to help the community at the Mission.
And final remarks are that Rosemary was the family rock. She coordinated and held the family together for holidays, education and the Catholic faith. She was an active grandmother and had a close relationship with her grandchildren. Rosemary will always be in our thoughts and her memory will live on.
4 responses to Rosemary Melvin
Chris Simone says:
May 7, 2016
Rosemary was part of my Cursillo prayer group for many, many years. Many memories shared with our wonderful friends there. She taught our son, Nicky, CCD. I remember how happy she was one year when she found several matching angel statues to give to her students at the end of the year. She taught many “angels” through all those years teaching all our children. She has started her “Fifth Day”, and shall we meet again when I start mine.
Scott Davis says:
May 7, 2016
Barry and Danny. I am very sorry for the loss of your mom. She was always very kind to me. Unless, of course, we were acting up like we always did.
Please let me know when the arrangements are confirmed.
Scott Davis
931/316-0239
suzy Russell says:
May 9, 2016
Rosemary was an answer to a prayer when I moved to Taft, California with my husband who was an engineering trainee with Mobil Oil. We had moved from Los Angeles county with our l0 month old son and I was very lonely. One day I asked God to send me a friend and an hour later Rosemary appeared at my door with a plate of cookies. She was my neighbor across the street; we were the same age, both Catholic and she had a little boy, Danny, the age of my son as well as another beautiful little girl, Pam. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between our husbands, Rich and Earl, and us which lasted through the years. I will always remember her big smile and all the fun we had together.
God bless you Pam, Danny and Barry, you now have, not only a mom, but an angel looking after you. Our family sends you love,
Suzy Russell
Don Heffern says:
May 30, 2016
This is so belated, I hesitated writing it. But almost no one knew of Rosemarys’ quiet Ministry. For many years, she tended to information tables and Prayer requests books inside the Basilica. She did this without a word and checked her tables like they were alive. It took me some time to realize, that to countless people, those tables are alive. This is where many people go to talk to God, in writing. The original tables were old and worn and Rosemary called me one day asking if she could buy new tables. I asked her to wait and soon after, the church purchased the two new tables. I was pleased that Rosemary approved the old mission style ! A wonderful young lady has assumed this Ministry with the same commitment and love for God Rosemary has. I’m happy your home, but I miss you Rosemary. I never said it as often as I thought to say, thank you ! And no doubt the thousands of people that you gave a place to talk to God, thank you too.
Don Heffern