Rosemary Joan Gillespie

Rosemary Joan (Prucinsky) Gillespie of Ligonier passed peacefully from this world in the early morning hours of May 2, 2024 at Orchard Pointe in Kendallville after 93 beautiful years on this earth.

She was born June 13, 1930 to Joseph and Margaret (Fuzey) Prucinsky in Mishawaka, IN. She married Donald “Whitey” Gillespie on August 6, 1949. They were happily married until his death on November 3, 2010.

Rosemary was a lifetime area resident. She graduated from Albion High School in 1949. She worked for Tower Ribbon & Trophy for many years before retiring in 1988 to spend more time with family and help care for her grandchildren. She loved to garden and had a green thumb unlike any other. Her flowers often bloomed with the same elegance and beauty that radiated from within her. She was a regular presence at the local library for many years with her best friend, Donna, and loved to read anything and everything. For her family, many memories included Rosie in the kitchen. It did not matter what she baked or cooked, it always turned out perfect. She had some recipes but most of the time she measured with her heart and cooked with love. Everything she did was filled with an abundance of love. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She instilled her love of cooking, gardening, reading, and life into each of them but most of all she instilled in them the importance of family.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons Michael (Melissa) Gillespie of Estes Park, Colorado and Christopher (Penny) Gillespie of Ligonier;  ten grandchildren Daniel Gillespie, Benjamin Scott, Kevin (Kirsten) Sheley, Adam (Heather) Gillespie, Tyler (Eric Raynal) Gillespie, Rachel (Cameron) Fehland, Scotty (Britnnie) Gillespie, Katie Pergrem, Ally Pergrem, and Alex Gillespie; twelve great-grandchildren; sister Patricia (Prucinsky) Ottaiano of Joliet, IL ; brother Gary “Chris” Prucinsky of Ligonier; sister-in-law Ann Prucinsky of Angola; her beloved longtime best friend Donna Feightner; and her very best good boy and furry companion Randy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughters, Tina Smith and Robin Pergrem, son, Stephen Gillespie, infant grandson, Eric Michael Gillespie, sisters, Virginia Barnes and Mary Ellen Prucinsky, and brothers, infant Frederick Prucinsky, Robert Prucinsky, and Joseph Prucinsky.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude for the staff at Orchard Pointe for their care, love, and compassion not only given to Rosemary but to the entire family during her stay there.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm with a Celebration of Life beginning at 4:00 pm. Burial will take place following the service at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.

Memorial contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society (online or mailed to PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741) or to the Humane Society of Noble County ( PO Box 471 Kendallville, IN 46755).