|
Rosamond E. South, wife of Ernest B. South and a resident of Albuquerque for a quarter of a century, died at Albuquerque Manor on December 19, 2001 after a protracted illness. She was 88 years old. The daughter of William Hendricks Foreman and Katherine Melvina Foreman, she was born in Kingston, Jamaica on April 16, 1913. Besides her husband of Albuquerque, she is survived by three daughters, Carroll Thomas of Los Alamos and her husband, George A. Baker Jr., Jean-Anne South of Baltimore, Maryland, and Marguerite South-Riley and her husband, Toby Riley of Green Cove Springs, Florida. She is also survived by her sister, Carmelle D'Antuoni of Albuquerque; three grandchildren, Lynn Meritt and her husband, Dave Meritt of Orlando, Florida, David Thomas and his wife, Sharon of San Jose, California, Bryan Thomas of Las Vegas, Nevada; three great-grandchildren, Justin Keith Meritt, Jeremy David Meritt and Julie Elisabeth Meritt. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, the baby Vernon, her older brother, Rupert Aston Foreman, younger brother, William Cartwright Foreman, and her son in-law Keith Thomas. When her father died in 1918, her mother went to the US to find work for support of her children. Rosamond was raised by her grandparents and used to tell her children and other family members stories about her stern but loving grandfather, her loving grandmother and the various escapades of her childhood. Ernest and Rose were married on September 10, 1941. For many years Rose worked as a secretary for the United Fruit Co., Seprod, Imperial Chemical Industries, World Food Administration, and the Jamaica Banana Producers Assn. She was an expert in shorthand. She was an avid and talented gardener who learned how to do grafting, and later became skilled in sewing, making many of her own clothes as well as gifts and toys for family members. She also made wreaths and flower arrangements. Rose was a loving wife, devoted mother, and a person who easily made friends with her friendly and generous persona. From her youth, she had an American pen pal from Connecticut who became a lifelong friend. They met for the first time when Ernest and Rose brought their daughter Carroll to the US to attend College. Ernest and Rose moved to the US in 1977. This was a major change in their lives. But with Rose's out-going personality, and taking the initiative to meet their new neighbors, they soon made wonderful friends of neighbors, fellow parishioners, and Golden Agers. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September this year, with their daughters and sons- in-law, sharing in this occasion. In her later years, Rose was beset by Alzheimer's disease, which slowly stole her personality and memories. Her husband Ernest took over the role of caregiver during these years, until the burden proved too much for him. Rose suffered a stroke in December 2000, which only added to her difficulties. Their Los Alamos family was fortunate to have them living near by, and enjoyed frequent visits to and from them over the years. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 4, 2002, 8:30 a.m. in Albuquerque at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, 2621 Vermont NE at Claremont. Ennichment of cremains will take place at the Gate of Heaven Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, or to a homeless shelter.
|
