*Rosemary's family encourages loved ones, colleagues, and former students to share happy stories memories here to help celebrate her life. Please click "Stories" above to leave a note.*
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After a love-filled week surrounded by friends and family that set a new visitor record at Morristown Medical Center's hospice care unit, Rosemary Bell (nee Egan) ended her heroic three-year battle with cancer on June 7, 2017 with her signature strength, humor, and grace.
Rosemary was born in Morristown, grew up in Lake Parsippany, and lived in Whippany. She attended Parsippany Hills High School, William Paterson University (B.A.), The College of St. Elizabeth and Nova Southeastern University (M.A.).
She was an accomplished and respected educator at Woodmont Elementary School in Montville, where she taught with passion, patience, and wisdom. Her 5th grade social studies class inspired hundreds of young people to grow into caring, informed, and responsible citizens.
Rosemary attended St. Ann R.C. Church in Parsippany and was a dedicated member of the New Jersey Education Association. A generous creative talent, she leaves behind beautiful knitted, woven, sewn, crafted, and quilted pieces for her loved ones to enjoy.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 25 years, Ian Bell; her cherished daughter Sara Schoenleber; parents Anne and Thomas Egan, sisters: Joanne Spitzli and husband Chris, Maribeth Egan and husband Rob Parrish; brothers: Patrick Egan and wife Joan, Christopher Egan and wife Tricia, Thomas Egan and wife Mary, and James Egan. She is also survived by sister and brother in-law Ann and Rick Serafin, eighteen nieces and nephews, extended family, honorary family, and many colleagues and friends.
Rosemary is predeceased by paternal grandparents Patrick and Mary Egan, maternal grandparents Andrew and Rose Cicala, uncle Andrew Cicala, mum-in-law Isobel Bell, friend and mentor Vickie Bruce, and others who are fondly remembered.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial gathering on Monday, June 12 between the hours of 4:00pm - 8:00p.m. at Par-Troy Funeral Home (95 Parsippany Road, Parsippany NJ). A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 10:30a.m. at St. Ann R.C. Church (781 Smith Rd, Parsippany, NJ). Interment will be private at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (East Hanover, NJ) on Wednesday, June 14.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rosemary's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), Whippany Fire Department (www.whippanyfire.com), or Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org).
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Gone too soon :(
Rosemary was a dear, sweet woman who will Forever have a place in my heart. We were HS classmates, and she sat next to me in 8th Grade Block (English & History) class. I could not believe I was blessed with sitting next to such a Beautiful Girl (not only on the outside, but also on the inside, which is FAR more important).
I believe I can count on one hand the number of times I saw her when she DID NOT have a smile on her face. And such a Beautiful, Radiant smile it was.
I meant to say something to her Family when I attended her Memorial today, but I spaced. Wanted to tell them "I did not know that she had become a Teacher. That hearkened me back to the now immortal quote from Christa McAuliffe 'I touch the future. I teach.'"
The Logistics weren't there for me to do this. But wanted to ask if they would allow me to lead a group prayer, as follows:
"Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the years we were blessed with our Beloved Rosemary, and for the memories we will carry for her until the day we meet her again. Welcome her into your Heavenly Kingdom, Oh Lord, and grant Eternal Rest and Bliss unto her Beaufiful Soul. We ask these things in the name of Your Beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and it is in His Name that we pray...Amen.