Obituary of Rose Marie Waltham

Rose Waltham Obituary

Rosemarie was born May 20, 1955 in Castor, AB to Bud and Louise Wakefield. Rose passed away September 13, 2024 in Edmonton at the age of 69 years old with her husband Gary and their four children, Corrie, Jason, Trina and Darcy by her side.

Rose attended Brownfield school for grades 1-4 and then Coronation School for grades 5-12. Rosemarie then moved to Edmonton and attended Marvel hairdressing school. After she graduated, Rose returned home and worked as a hairdresser for Vicky Acaster for a couple of years. Rose married Gary on February 14, 1976. Soon after Corrie Joseph was born, followed by Jason Micheal two years later. Trina Marie was welcomed 4 years later and in another 4 years, Darcy John completed their family. Rose loved being a mother and poured her heart and soul into her family.

Rose’s family grew with the marriages of all her children. And soon the string of grandchildren began. Rose loved her grandchildren. She had a full dozen and recently two great-grandchildren were added.

Rose was a farm girl at heart. She loved cows, horses, chickens and working alongside Gary and their children on the farm. 

She also enjoyed hairdressing and ran a business from her home for the past 50 years. She had a list of loyal customers, many of whom have been receiving haircuts and perms for over 40 years.

Rose spent numerous years working for the Battle River Lodge. She enjoyed visiting with the hunters, working alongside the other staff and was always grateful for the American tips she received.

Rose had many hobbies. She was an avid gardener, skilled seamstress, keen shopper, fun curler and ruthless game player.

Camping was a summertime favorite and winter was for hot holidays. Rose and Gary loved to travel with their friends and family and visited numerous destinations.

Throughout their entire marriage, Rose and Gary resided on the Waltham Homestead. In 1990 they built their family home on the site of the original farm house. This home is the hub of the family and has hosted countless gatherings.

Christmas was Rose’s favorite holiday. She loved shopping for all her grandchildren and giving them gifts. Her love of gift giving made it impossible to have the family Christmas gathering anywhere but at her home. There were just way too many gifts to be hauled to anyone else’s place.

Rose tried to make every sporting event she could. Dance, hockey, volleyball, basketball, curling and baseball. It was rare for her and Gary to miss a game. Rose even had to watch her granddaughter’s play volleyball via livestream from her hospital bed.

Rosemarie will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 48 years Gary; children Corrie Waltham, Jason (Lynette) Waltham, Trina (Nathan) Cook and Darcy (Jessie) Waltham; grandchildren Emily Wheller (Coty McClyment), Hannah Waltham (Justin Aldoff), Jillian Waltham (Winston Griffth), Ty Waltham, Ava Waltham, Archer Waltham, Dharma Cook, Breya Cook, Tenly Cook, Riley Cook, Reagan Waltham and Dentyn Waltham; great grandchildren Feyra and Colter; mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law Joyce and Tom Wraight; sisters Melvina (Lawrence) Grudecki and Donna (Clarence) Golby; brothers David (Terry) Wakefield and Greg (Kathy) Wakefield; along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.

in the Coronation Community Centre, Coronation, Alberta

Memorial donations in Rosemarie’s memory are graciously accepted to the Coronation Community Centre, PO Box 1073, Coronation, Alberta, T0C 1C0