Rosemary Ratusz

Just 14 days shy of her 95^th birthday, Rosemary decided to celebrate her special milestone day with her husband, Chet, her children, Rob and Timmy, her parents, Norman and Jane Powers and a whole host of relatives who were awaiting her arrival into Heaven. She passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9^th with her daughter and son-in-law holding her hand.

Rosemary was born on August 23,1924 in Yonkers, NY to Norman and Jane Powers. She was married to Chet (the Jet) just shy of 50 years and together they raised 8 children. Rosemary and Chet met in Cleveland, Ohio and married there on June 15,1946. They built a home in Strongsville, Ohio where 5 of their 8 children were born. They made their way to Columbus, Ohio and eventually settled in beautiful Mt. Air where they made life-long friends and neighbors. After raising their family, they moved to Palm Coast, Florida where Rosemary became very involved as a volunteer at the local hospital which she thoroughly enjoyed. Rosemary and Chet were both golfers and she loved telling people about her infamous hole-in-one!

Rosemary came back to Columbus in the late 1990’s after Chet passed away and enjoyed spending time with family and old friends and making new ones at St. George on the Commons where she lived for many years.

Rosemary spent her last 2 years on earth at Dublin Assisted Living where she was well known and loved by everyone who crossed her path. Her family would be remiss if they did not thank all the many wonderful people who assisted her throughout her journey there especially two of her extraordinary and loving carepartners, Malena and Patricia and special nurse, Holly. Also, the OhioHealth Hospice Homecare Team, Chaplain John, Maureen, Lisa, Lauren and Sarah.

In addition to those mentioned, Rosemary was predeceased by her father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Mary Ratusz, her brother, Donald Powers, sister, Helene Kane, sisters-in-law, Joan Powers and Florence Bentz, brothers-in-law, Tom Smith, James Kane and Edmund Bentz and her precious great-granddaughter, Lilly Childs.

Rosemary leaves behind, her children, Michael (Lisa), Maryjane (Jim) Riley, Daniel (Linda), Richard (Cindy), Peggy (Bryan) Ratusz-Holgerson and Patrick; her grandchildren, Sarah (Harry) Childs, Meghan Ratusz, Christine Hurst, Katherine (Andy) Schultz and Tim (Liz) Lane; step grandsons Ryan (Sandra) Holgerson and Chad (Melissa) Holgerson; her great-grandchildren Ethan and Maxwell Childs, Ryan, Emily and Olivia Schultz and Mateo and Colin Lane, step grandchildren Valerie, Megan and Madison Holgerson; her sisters Norma Smith and Nan (Dominic) DeCresenzo and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours and special reflections will take place on Sunday, August 18th from 4PM to 6PM at Tidd Funeral Home (5265 Norwich St, Hilliard, OH). A Mass of the Christian Burial will take place on Monday, August 19th at 10AM at St. Brendan Catholic Church (4475 Dublin Rd, Hilliard, OH) with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in Rosemary’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio (1379 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215) or the St. Brendan “ONE Campaign” (you may send your donation to the church address above; please include Rosemary’s name in the notes section on your check).