Rosemarie Elizabeth McGarry

In the evening of October 2, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida, just 9 days shy of her 85th birthday, Rosemarie Elizabeth (Sepe) McGarry passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family after a brief illness. Rosemarie was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, daughter of the late Daniel and Elsie (Jung) Sepe. As a young woman, Rosemarie left her small hometown of Oneco, Connecticut in search of a bigger life. In her younger years and through college, Rosemarie was an accomplished athlete as both a tennis player and a competitive swimmer. She excelled in all four swimming strokes, having won numerous medals and awards for individual and medley events. Rosemarie earned a scholarship to the University of Bridgeport and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. After a long and rewarding career in elementary education, Rosemarie retired with 21 years of service from Danbury Hospital as an Admissions Coordinator and Mental Health Counselor. She was also a homemaker and worked numerous other jobs to support her family. Rosemarie's passion was teaching and she loved the water. She used her swimming prowess to work as a lifeguard and found great joy in teaching swimming lessons to all ages. Rosemarie is survived by her two children, Michael McGarry of Portland Oregon and Kirsten McGarry of Sarasota Florida and her adored and beloved granddaughter Gwendolyn McGarry of Portland Oregon. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Yao McGarry of Portland Oregon, nieces Andi Cork of New York and Jen Abromaitis of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts and nephew Mark Abromaitis of Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Rosemarie was predeceased by her former husband Neale A. McGarry, sister Martha Abromaitis, brother Dan Sepe and nephew Jefferson Abromaitis. As a young mother, Rosemarie encouraged athleticism in her children and could often be seen in the crowd cheering on Michael and Kirsten and their friends as they engaged in their chosen sport. Although Rosemarie moved to Sarasota in 2010 to be close to family, she considered Bethel Connecticut to be her home. She loved nothing more than to be in her Bethel country home with her family and animals. Rosemarie greatly enjoyed precious memories and fondly shared stories of her time in Bethel with family and the two family German Shepards, Brandy and Sasha, and the neighborhood favorite burro, Pedro. Rosemarie's engaging spirit and value of friendship drew new friends to her in Sarasota and they watched over her and cared for her as if she was their own. As a creative and skilled artist, Rosemarie engaged in numerous artistic medias including but not limited to painting the faces of children at local Bethel events. Those from Bethel might remember their faces being painted by her at the Apple Blossom Festival.Today, her family is fortunate to have many of her paintings and creations in their homes as loving keepsakes and memories. Rosemarie’s nature was quiet and calm, preferring to listen rather than speak. Rosemarie chose to show her affections through acts of kindness, gifting and handwritten letters, even during these times of email and texting. If she wrote down a thought to you in a letter or a note or sent you a mailing with articles and/or keepsakes, you knew you were loved. As we know, one’s own life is so much more than what is outlined in an obituary. So much to share and so little time. In honor of Rosemarie's memory, love one another openly and intentionally, share a kindness, and don’t be afraid to say “I love you”. Services and burial for Rosemarie are private. Memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org. For online condolences or directions, please visit www.MFHcares.com.

Rosemarie Elizabeth McGarry

October 11, 1938 - October 2, 2023