Rosemary (Gold) Fenstermaker was the daughter of John Gold and Anna (Hensel) Gold, born on April 2, 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up there with her 2 brothers, John Gold and Bill Gold, and 3 sisters, Helen (Gold) Brinkman, Jo (Gold) Miller, and Pat (Gold) Rood. Rosemary graduated from West High School in Cleveland focusing on Business courses. She was employed by Higbee's Department Store working the comptometer. She was so adept at this machine, that her co-workers often complained that her speed on the keys gave them a headache. She also worked at Alcoa Aluminum where her father and brother, John had jobs. Rosemary met her husband of 67 years, LeRoy (Roy) Fenstermaker at her Catholic Parish Youth Group. They were married in Denver, Colorado on September 10, 1946 where Roy was attending the University of Denver. They honeymooned at Estes Park in the Rocky Mountains. Leaving Denver, Rosemary and Roy moved to Oakland, California, so that Roy could pursue his B.A. from the University of California, at Berkeley in Economics. While in Oakland, the couple had the first two of their children; James Michael (Jim), and Margaret Mary (Peggy). When Roy was employed by Autonetics, an aerospace company located in Downey, California, they moved initially to Inglewood, and then in 1952 to the newly developing planned community of Lakewood, California. The house they purchased in Lakewood is at 4223 Hackett Ave. It remained the Fenstermaker Family home to the present, 63 years. In making the decision to raise their family here, they were influenced by the close proximity of the future St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church and school, where all six of their children attended. In Lakewood, Rosemary and Roy had 4 more children; Mary Anne, William John (Bill), Joan Marie (Joanie), and Mark Allen. Another daughter died before birth in 1961. Rosemary's life work and her legacy are her family and home. She provided a nurturing and creative place for her 6 children to grow, while Roy provided for his family as an engineer in the aerospace industry. Family holidays, especially the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were always planned with games, decorations, and delicious food. Photographs of every one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren grace the walls of the family den. Her children were given the advantage of a Catholic education at St. Maria Goretti Elementary School, St. John Bosco High School for boys, and St. Joseph High School for girls. Her sacrifices made it possible for her children to attend these excellent private schools. After her children where older, Rosemary became a library assistant at Iacoboni Library in Lakewood Center. She worked there for 30 years until she retired at age 83. The library was an appropriate job for her, because Rosemary was an avid reader. She was particularly interested in archeology. Rosemary also loved the music of the Big Bands and marching bands. She enjoyed Barber Shop Quartets, and was treated to a private performance on her birthday a few years ago. Rosemary has been an advocate and supporter of numerous charities, most notably, His Nesting Place. She worked for many years, as well, on projects for St. Peter's Guild in support of the Parish. Rosemary will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind and giving person. As her family grew she welcomed all new members with her love, gifts, and gracious charm. And how her family has grown! Linda LaRocque married Jim in 1971. Jim and Linda have 3 children, David, Carrie (Schuyler), and Daniel, and 5 grandchildren with another arriving soon. Peggy has 2 daughters, Emily and Lindsay, and after her marriage to Bill Trinkle in 2009, she was blessed with 3 stepchildren, Katee, Mary and Billy. Mary Anne has a daughter, Katelyn. Bill married Patty Mayernick in 1979 and they have 4 children, Erin (Coors), Rae, Rod, and Michael and 5 grandchildren. Mark married Karen Schulte in 1989, and they have 4 children; Kathleen, Michelle, Lauren and John. These 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (with another on the way), will miss Rosemary every day, and especially at holidays. The happy memories of these times and many others will remain with all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren forever. Rosemary Fenstermaker died on August 6, 2015 at 12:30 a.m. at her home in Lakewood, surrounded by family. Her funeral services are being held at St. Maria Goretti Church in Long Beach, California on August 13, 2015 at 10:30 a.m., with the burial at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach. May she Rest in the Peace of Christ.
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