Rosemary Tunkel

Rosemary Rina Tunkel, age 84, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024, at her home in Frederick, MD, in the presence of her husband and three loving sons.

Rosemary is survived by her devoted husband, Warren Tunkel, sons Michael, Jeffrey and Richard, her daughters-in-law Erin and Kristin and five adored grandsons Ryan, Jack, Patrick, Matthew and Brendan.

Rosemary was born on Aug.13, 1940 in Clifton, NJ, to parents George and Betty Frankovic. She attended St. Brendan’s grammar school and graduated with honors from Patterson State University with a degree in Elementary Education to begin her career as a 2nd grade teacher at Pines Lake school, in Wayne, NJ

For six summers, while a student at St. Pope Pius high school and Patterson State University, “Miss Roe” developed her lifelong love of the great outdoors as Camp Hope nature program counselor. This experience formed the motivation for many years of family pop-up camping and the 1995 purchase of a home on Adirondack Lake in Indian Lake, NY.

 In June of 1963, Rosemary and Warren were introduced on a blind date, initiated by mutual friends Martin and Janet Link. It was love at first sight as they became engaged just 3 months later in October 1963 and married on July 11,1964. In the 60 years married, Warren’s financial and computer career advancement opportunities led her family to relocate 7 times within the US. Along the way, she was blessed with three sons and five grandsons, all of whom Rosemary and Warren are so proud of and thankful for their love and success in life,

Rosemary will be remembered for her passion for gardening, beautiful flower decorations for every holiday season, bass fishing success and for putting everyone’s favorite food on the table. She was an avid Reader’s Digest reader, talented meeting organizer, proficient record keeper, and coupon cutter routine and will be remembered by everyone who knew her. While she often knew the lyrics to a song, she most likely could not recall the title of it. She could never understand how her husband had a joke for every situation, but always laughed at them anyway!

A memorial mass will be held at St. Timothy Church during the Thanksgiving weekend. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Frederick Health Hospice.