Rosemary Garrity, 51, Great Falls, Mont.

Published 3:45 pm Saturday, December 1, 2012

Rosemary L. Garrity, 51, of Great Falls, Mont., passed away Nov. 20 at a local hospital after a short illness. A private family viewing will be held at a later date. There will be no services held. Arrangements are under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home.

Rosemary Garrity

Rosemary was born Sept. 6, 1961, to Edward and Letona (Augst) Wright in Blue Earth. She attended school in Frost and graduated from Alden High School. She attended technical school in Albert Lea, and then moved to Mankato to attend vocational school. In January of 1983, she joined the Air Force. Her first assignment was as a supply technician at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla. There she met and married Bruce Mathews, they later divorced. She was then assigned to Ellsworth, Air Force Base, S.D., where she met and married her husband Mark on July 10, 1993. Together they were assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., in January of 1994 and made Great Falls their home. During this time she also served a tour of duty in South Korea. She graduated from Park University with honors and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in management and human resources. She retired from the Air Force in January of 2004 and worked as a civilian training manager for the Air Force for a short duration. After that, she elected to retire and completely devote her life to her husband and family.

Rosemary was an exceptionally loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was young at heart and found joy and beauty in everything around her. She was devoted to her husband, son, stepdaughter and grandson. She found great happiness in camping, fishing, boating and touring the country on the back of their motorcycle. The most important thing in her life was her family and she was a blessing to all of them. To her husband she was the greatest blessing and the love of his life.

She is survived by her husband Mark of Great Falls; son Justin (Tana) Mathews and grandson Reid Mathews of Oklahoma; stepdaughter Ginelle Garrity of Oklahoma; sisters: Rebecca (Jim) Janke of Wisconsin, Ramona (Tim Thompson) Satre of Minnesota, Rita (Bill) Halstead of Minnesota; brother Robert (Terry) Wright of Wisconsin; and goddaughter Crystal Halstead of Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Joshua Mathews, and her parents.

Our loving wife, mother and grandmother left this world, with her husband by her side, and went to be with the Lord.

Condolences to the family may be left at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.