It is with great sadness that our family announces the unexpected death of our beloved sister, aunt, daughter, friend and faithful servant to the Lord, Rosemary Elaine Moran. Rosemary was surrounded by her loving family as she peacefully departed from this world to eternal life on October 15.
Rosemary was born February 21, 1938, the fourth child of eight on the family farm in Blaine, Kansas to Geraldine and Thomas Moran. Proud of her Irish Catholic heritage, Rosemary attended St. Columbkille Catholic Grade School and graduated from Blaine Rural High School. Not destined for life on the farm, Rosemary left Blaine for Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (now Benedictine College) and earned a BA in Mathematics. She later returned to school and earned an MBA from Rockhurst University.
Rosemary moved to Kansas City in 1964 to what would later become known as the Country Club Plaza and resided there until her death. She enjoyed a nearly fifty-year career at Midwest Research Institute and made many lifelong friends there. A trailblazer in STEM, Rosemary was a skilled statistician, mathematician, and consummate professional. She contributed to impactful projects in the Math, Physics, and Engineering Departments until her retirement in 2012.
A devout Catholic, Rosemary was a woman of great faith. She attended daily Mass most of her life. Her faith led her to a be a true servant to others and her contributions to Kansas City are numerous. She volunteered at Literacy KC as a math and English tutor and Redemptorist Center serving individuals in need of financial and food assistance. She is the longest-serving judge in the history of the Kansas City Science Fair, serving more than 50 years. Rosemary joined Soroptimist International, which seeks to help women and girls all over the world, in 1985. While working at MRI, she was honored for her outreach and service to people in need. As one friend described her recently, Rosemary was saintly.
She walked thousands of miles on and around the Plaza over the last sixty years as she attended Mass, tutored students, volunteered, and frequented local shops. Sales associates of favorite stores knew her well as she spoiled her family with holiday and birthday gifts. Her friendships included many special bonds formed over her sixty years as a parishioner of Visitation Catholic Church and the last almost twenty years in her Plaza apartment building.
A life well lived and traveled, Rosemary’s itinerary included many intercontinental journeys with family or friends. She particularly enjoyed Scandinavia and Europe. Whether international travel or cherished trips to spend time with family, Rosemary was always up for an adventure. She was a connoisseur of the arts and attended the symphony, theatre, exhibits at the Nelson-Atkins and other arts venues regularly with her many circles of friends. In addition to fine arts, Rosemary enjoyed wine and sweets, especially chocolate.
Rosemary loved her family and friends and was loved by them. She was kind, thoughtful, extremely generous to all, and made each of us feel special. Although Rosemary never married, she was an integral part of her seven siblings’ families. Her presence at family celebrations was a highlight for all. A party was not complete nor as much fun without Rosemary.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Geraldine and Thomas Moran, her brothers Basil Moran (Betty), James Moran (Ann), and Joseph Moran, her sister Julia Harrington (Harold), and her sister-in-law Patricia Moran (Stephen). Left to cherish her memory are her brother Stephen Moran and her sisters Patricia (James Dulac) and Suzanne (Dale Marti), her sister-in-law Colleen Moran (Joseph), and their families.
We miss her terribly, but are comforted in knowing that we had so much time to enjoy her and that she lived life to the fullest. May she rest in the peace and comfort of being reunited with her parents and siblings and traveling her last, best adventure. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Soroptimist Kansas City Foundation, 1221 W 103rd #224, Kansas City MO 64114 or Visitation Catholic Church at the address below.
Visitation will be held in Rosemary’s honor on November 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. and a rosary said at 10:40 a.m. at Visitation Catholic Church located at 5141 Main St, Kansas City, Missouri, 64112. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served at Visitation immediately after Mass. Rosemary will be laid to rest in Blaine Cemetery next to her parents in Blaine, Kansas on November 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the burial service in the Blaine parish center.
Rosemary and I were long term MRI colleagues and she and I often walked from work through the CC Plaza to home. She put in many more miles than I did.
I am trying to catch up by walking my therapy dog, Otis, 3 + miles a day and have carried on her commitment to area youth by making 4 therapy visits per month to kids at risk.
I will miss Rosemary.
H. Green
Rosemary left a lot of footprints walking all over the Plaza area of Kansas City for over 60 years. More importantly, her innumerable acts of charity for others left the most impactful footprints of all in the lives of others. I salute you for demonstrating what Christianity truly is by your humble example and loving service to others. May your BEST friend, Jesus, welcome you into his promised mansion in heaven.
Rosemary was a member of my CHRP group at Visitation- I am so glad to have met her this way. Your tribute to her truly exemplified what a sweet and charming woman she was. I’ll miss seeing her in church at Mass. May she rest in Peace. Prayers for Rosemary and for her family.
As a member of Soroptimist International of Kansas City, I have known Rosemary for 35 years. When she retired from MRI Global, I learned that even though she had traveled the world, she had never really explored Kansas City. After living here for 60 years, I proposed we do something about that. Every month for a couple of years, I would pick her up and we would go to a different area of the city to have lunch and explore. We visited Henry’s Tea Room in downtown Lee’s Summit, explored Ten Thousand Villages in Overland Park, checked out the West Bottoms, then found Knuckleheads in the East Bottoms. We drove all over the stockyards and had lunch at Woodsweather Cafe. She loved a “dive” as much as I do. We traveled all over the metropolitan area. During that time, I learned so much about her. Her volunteer work with Literacy KC, her work with Redemptorist Center, her assistance to others in need. She told me about her childhood growing up on the farm and the kindness her parents showed to their neighbors. She was a good friend and I miss her. Rest in peace Rosemary.
Rosemary was my CRHP sister and a fellow 4:00 Mass attendee. I just loved her kind spirit and little bit of feistiness that always surprised me. She was an intelligent & interesting lady and I was inspired by her mode of transportation- always walking. She will truly be missed.
Rosemary was my coworker who became a dear friend to me and my family. She became a member of my family. She came on my son’s wedding cruise and was an honored matriarch. She reminded me of my family of short Irish Catholic devout women. She taught me many things and we shared a lot. I was blessed to visit her in her final days and she left this world the way she lived, eyes wide open, her hand in God’s, thinking of others. Vaya con dios.
Dear Rosemary,
The Dux family will miss you. You touched our lives more than you realized and it was always a pleasure spending the afternoon with you.
Your intelligence, faith, and positive outlook brought out the best in all of us. Thank you for the many ways you brightened our lives. You will be greatly missed and not forgotten. Rest in Peace my friend.
What a sweet and faithful woman. I never knew Rosemary personally but would often see her at mass. She was so friendly and warm. I already miss seeing her! God rest her soul and may she enjoy eternal life with Jesus, our blessed Mother and her family and friends already in Heaven.
What a beautifully-written obituary about a very special woman. She will be missed.
Rosemary was a familiar face at Visitation. In addition to daily mass, sometimes she attended multiple weekend masses. She told me once that she truly loved being a Eucharistic Minister, and cherished every opportunity to serve in that way. I got to know Rosemary in a weekly prayer group. As you might guess, she was a faithful member. As I learned a bit about her life story, I was amazed at all she had accomplished yet she personified the virtue of humility. I admired Rosemary and am grateful that our paths crossed To Rosemary’s family: you were very dear to her and I offer my heartfelt condolences for your loss.
Rosemary helped tutor my Algebra II students at Cristo Rey Kansas City High School 6-7 years ago. A very giving woman.
Rosemary was a coworker of mine. I cherish the friendship and memories through the years. She will be missed dearly. She was one of the sweetest people I’ve known.