Obituary: Rosemary Haberthier Warne

Rosemary Haberthier Warne, 90, passed away Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. Beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Rosemary’s loving, kind, and generous spirit will be remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

She was born in St. Louis, Mo., on July 24, 1923, and was the only child to the late George A. and Joan Haberthier.

Rosemary attended All Saints Catholic Elementary School and graduated from University City High School in University City, Mo. She attended secretarial school in St. Louis, and worked in the accounting department at Famous Barr department store. She often mentioned how much she enjoyed “life in the big city” as a working woman in the 1940s.

In 1946, Rosemary married George Warne in University City and moved to Oak Ridge, where they raised their four children. Rosemary and George were founding members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where they were active for more than 65 years. Rosemary was a member and past president of the Catholic Women’s Club.

Rosemary helped her husband run the family business, New York Cleaners, one of Oak Ridge’s first privately owned businesses, for more than 25 years. She was an excellent seamstress, and she handled clothing alterations for the business, as well as for family and friends.

Rosemary and George were active members of the Oak Ridge Jaycees. She was a member and past president of the Oak Ridge Women’s Club, and she especially enjoyed its Garden Club.

Rosemary was an active community volunteer, dedicating her time to Meals On Wheels and Friends in Service Helping (FISH), as well as working as a Gray Lady at Oak Ridge Hospital. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends.

Rosemary was diagnosed with dementia in 2002. Throughout her illness, Rosemary kept her sunny disposition and charming personality.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her four children, daughter Ellen Cheslak (Albert) of St. Augustine, Fla., Douglas Warne (Sara Beth) of Nashville, Edie Wright (Gale) of Knoxville, and Maria Thompson (Andrew Clark) of Asheville, N.C. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Greenfield Senior Living and Caris Hospice. They would also like to thank Rosemary’s loving caregiver and friend, Carol Bunch, whose kindness throughout the last 10 years will always be remembered.

The family will receive friends at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Saturday, Feb. 22 beginning at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., Rosemary’s life will be celebrated with a funeral Mass, followed by an inurnment and reception. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Mary’s School, 323 Vermont Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830, or a charity of your choice. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.