Rosemary P. (Connor) Ronan Obituary (1928 - 2019)

Rosemary P. (Connor) Ronan, age 91, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2019, after a short illness. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 8, 1928, to the late Herbert and Zoe (Robinson) Connor. Rosemary attended Catholic Central High School and Aquinas College. On May 6, 1950, she married the love of her life, Claude "Buck" Ronan. Rosemary went back to school at Michigan State University in the late 1960's and earned a Masters in Education before working for the Grand Rapids Public Schools System. She taught Head Start, junior high school and English as a second language. Rosemary was an avid reader, an accomplished bridge player, and loved to play word and board games. Intelligent, and outgoing, with a sharp wit and a good sense of humor, she entertained and enjoyed the company of many close friends throughout the years. Rosemary is survived by five sons: Mark (Sandra) of Bloomington, IN; Matthew, Patrick (Linda Ernst), and Paul (Deb) all of Grand Rapids, MI; and John (Clare Lyster) of Chicago, IL; 6 grandchildren: Karri (Matthew) Tibbutt, Kevin (Chelsea) Budnick, and Nicholas, Michael, Evelyn, and Adrienne Ronan; and 6 great-grandchildren who loved her and are comforted to know that she is now at peace. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Claude "Buck" Ronan; sister, Nancy Cottrell; and brother, James Connor. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated in Rosemary's honor on Friday, November 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., at Porter Hills Village, 3600 East Fulton St. Grand Rapids, MI 49546 at the West Entrance, Meeting House. A reception at Porter Hills will immediately follow the service. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids.