Obituary of Rosemary Roberts Perry

Rosemary Roberts Perry, ("Rose") was born on February 14, 1932 in her family home at 162 Saint Albans Street, St. Paul, MN. She often shared how her mother told her oldest brother Tom to run down the street to get the doctor to help. Rose died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at age 86 on August 14, 2018. She grew up in St. Paul, living primarily at their home on Dayton Avenue. She graduated high school from St. Joseph's Academy in 1949. After high school she joined the Marine Corps Reserve and did training in Parris Island, South Carolina; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and San Diego, California. In 1959 Rose took a freighter ship across the Atlantic Ocean to visit her brother Tom who was teaching in Cairo, Egypt. She talked fondly of her adventures there and in France. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1960, with degrees in French and Arabic. Rose and her husband John were married on November 5th, 1960. They were married for 49 years before his passing in 2010. John and Rose lived in New Jersey, California and Iowa before settling in Burnsville, MN in 1963. It was here in 1969 they opened up their home to foster children. Rose provided foster care for more than 150 children for over 40 years. Often these children had been neglected or abused and were in need of a loving home with structure and support. Sometimes these children stayed for just for a few nights, while others stayed much longer. John and Rose adopted 3 of these foster children; Tami, Adam, and Becky; happily adding siblings for Theresia, Greg, and Ann. Rose loved being surrounded by her family and kids. Her passion and calling in life was to help children in need. We believe some of this was inherited from her mothers work as a nurse caring for abandoned infants at the Catholic Children’s Home. She loved cooking and having treats ready for the kids when they came home from school. Rose was selfless, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She operated on a few hours of sleep each night and loved her toast with butter and a cup of coffee. Rose lived with Molly and Adam until a year and a half ago when her dementia made it necessary for her to move to assisted living. She moved into the Deerfield in New Richmond, WI until her death. Every single staff member there provided so much wonderful care and love that Rose truly felt comfortable and cared for at all times. They often talked of her kindness, love, and compassion. She will be greatly missed by so many, but her graciousness and open heart has been passed on and will be carried forward with pride. She is to be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery next to her husband John, and son James. Rose was preceded in death by her husband John Perry; mother Theresia Roberts, father John “JR” Roberts; brothers Tom Roberts and Jack Roberts, sisters Margaret Tendal and Mary Friedlander; and her son James Perry. She is survived by her brother Pat Roberts; children Theresia (Charles) McDonald, Greg (Rochelle) Perry, Ann (Scott) Aspengren, Tami (Jeff) Curlo, Adam (Molly) Perry, Becky (Andy) Hamilton; grandchildren Briana, John, Jake, Christian, Emily, Mia, Signe, Mady, Alanah, Karoline, Izzie, Lizzy, Chance, Sophia, Michael, and Garrett; many nieces and nephews; very special loved one Tiana Schell, Rachel, Ashly King, and many, many foster children who will keep her memory and graciousness alive and well. Funeral arrangements by: Cremation Society of MN – St. Paul 1979 Old Hudson Rd St Paul, MN 55119 Phone: (651)789-0404 Monday August 20: Visitation will be at 11:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 noon with lunch to follow. 2:30 pm Burial Service at Fort Snelling National Cemetery Memorials to the Deerfield (Presbyterian Homes & Services)-Staff Educational Assistance Fund, 1127 W 8th St, New Richmond, WI 54017 715-243-3900