Obituary of Rosemary Jean Mader

Rosemary Jean (Skinner) Mader Born June 16, 1958 in Lunenburg, NS, she was the daughter of Albert and Josephine Skinner. As a young girl, Rosemary anxiously awaited the arrival of her grandfather O’Connor from the fishing boats. His return home would bring the promise of candy and Juicy Fruit gum and then her Nanny O'Connor would cook them up some cod cheeks and tongues. Her parents raised their four girls, Rosemary the oldest; Juliette (George Joudrey); Elizabeth; and Angela (Sherman Lake) on the corner of Cornwallis and York Street of Lunenburg. The sisters were involved in everything musical that went on in the church, community clubs and social events. Before her first marriage, Rosemary taught swimming classes in Riverport and Mahone Bay; she also was employed filleting fish and picking out the worms at the Fish Plant. Rosemary started her nursing course at Bridgewater Vocational School; the first to be knowingly permitted to enrol visibly pregnant. After 2 months in the course, Rosemary gave birth to son Peter Douglas Mason. She was absent only four days that year including Peter’s birth (thanks to the help of a doughnut pillow). With her high marks she immediately found work at the Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg as an LPN. She gave birth to her second son Jamie Albert Mason while employed at the hospital. She loved nursing for her entire 32 year career. She was a very competent, caring and compassionate nurse and her patients benefited from her care. The RNs, LPNs, Administration and Cleaning Staff all covered one another’s backs. They treated each other as equals. They worked together and socialized together. They were true friends and she loved the team spirit. Rosemary's co-workers shared that during the Christmas gift exchange draw, no one wanted to get Rosemary's name. They would put it back in the pot because she was very particular about not wanting debris or dust collectors. The unlucky one who drew last got her name. A team conference to figure out what to get her usually ended up with the suggestion of a bottle of wine. With Rheumatoid Arthritic hands, a knee replacement, and broken bones in her feet, working at the bedside became impossible. She was also ready to leave the changing medical system at that point. Rosemary’s early vacation days were used taking sons Peter and Jamie to either tennis or hockey tournaments, even as far away as Montreal. She loved to watch them play their individual sports and supported them with her cheers. Jamie, the competitive one, with the feisty temper and Peter, though a good player too, was calmer, funnier - the one that boosted team spirit. Before her death, Rosemary’s greatest concern was that her sons be secure and happy. Peter is employed at Michelin and Jamie as a Welder. Rosemary met her second husband Peter Mader in 1992 and they were married in Costa Rica on February 28, 1997. They shared a 23 year adventure of love, laughter and travel. Scuba diving adventures were a passion and dives with a whale shark, tiger sharks, manta rays, huge sea turtles and dolphins in Belize, Honduras, St. Andres, Cuba, Mexico or Cost Rica were the highlights. River rafting the rainforest and hiking the jungles to ancient ruins were other highlights of her life. In September 2015, vacationing in British Columbia, Rosemary saw the wonders of the beauty of the mountains, tall forests, whales, bears and salmon; wonderful food and exciting cities added to the experience. She was blessed with a grandchild, Kaelyn Mason with whom she did puzzles, went swimming with and took to White Point to see the rabbits. This Christmas, Kaelyn’s two big hugs and having both her boys with her on Christmas Day were her greatest gifts. The little cottage on Lake William was filled to the brim with visits from Kaelyn, nephew Aaron Joudrey (partner Christina), with their children Cole and Leah; niece Katie Westhaver (husband Mike) plus niece Emerald Lake. Playing hide and seek and all kinds of Emerald’s goofy games were so much fun. These children added excitement to her life and made the cottage a home. As unofficial judges on trips with Juliette and Angela to niece Emerald’s Highland Dance competitions, the sisters were the most expert judges the audience ever had - and clearly should have over ruled the actual judges. Rosemary lived in two great neighbourhoods that had wonderful neighbours - Maple Avenue in Lunenburg and of course Scarsdale. The get togethers, the practical jokes, the food and the drinks made for many laughs. Rosemary never knew what would be in the yard when we came home from vacation; an erotic xmas tree, a beaver dam across the driveway or a scarecrow barricade at the front door. We tried to retaliate with well placed bird of paradise flowers, Sasquatch footprints, and croaking frogs. Rosemary was the Hicks in the Hack’s biggest fan at the outdoor curling rink. Her coaching and encouragement from the bleachers will be sorely missed. Rosemary spent a lot of time trying to explain all the people named "Peter" in her life. Her first husband was named Peter, she had a son named Peter and her second husband was named Peter. It was even rumoured that her first boyfriend was named Peter. Rosemary being teased about being Peter Mader's Wife amongst her friends and neighbours was a long standing joke. Our final Christmas together was perfect, Kaelyn’s Christmas Concert, the sisters get together, the fudge making and the family meals. Rosemary was a wonderful caring and loving wife. Her amazing back rubs, the restaurant forays, her fantastic memory for every minute detail about everything and everyone will be missed. Most memorable of all were the greetings at the door with a hug and a kiss after work. I will long for those the rest of my life. My “Pirate Wench”, my “Aborigine”, my “Country Hick”, my “Mexican Rosa”; my “Friend” is gone and I will miss her so much. Rosemary had a brief 48 hour struggle with pneumonia that got over-looked as Christmas fatigue. Ultimately her immune suppressed system couldn’t fight it off and her condition was too far advanced resulting in her death. Rosemary was predeceased this year by her favourite companion and lap dog, our Yorkie, Phoebe. They will be side by side once again in our backyard. In addition to Rosemary's family, left to mourn are Peter's family; her mother-in-law Judith Mader; the families of Nancy (Scot) Jennings; John (Gerry) Mader; Peggy (Glenn) Taylor; Mary (Charles) Lantz; Neil (Connie) Mader and Melanie Mader. If you wish, you may remember her by donating to the Barss Corner Community Hall, 891 Barss Corner Road, Nova Scotia, B0R 1A0; or make a donation to the Red Cross Refugee Fund. You may pay your respects to the families at an open house at the Barss Corner Community Hall on January 9th, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Life to follow. Bring your favourite wine glass and we will drink a toast to Rosemary. Her own wine stash will be provided.