Rosemary passed away peacefully at the Beacon Hill Villa long care home, Victoria, BC, on the evening of February 28, 2025. Born in Milford-on-Sea, in England on November 17, 1929. Rosemary spent her childhood in southern England moving with her mother, Eleanora to stay with friends in Wales for safety reasons during the Blitz of the second World War. Her father Herbert John (Jack) served in the Royal Air Force in Africa as a Flying Sergeant and later Squadron Leader during this time.
At age 18, in 1947 Rosemary sailed from Southampton with her mother by ship to Southern African where they joined Jack and settled in the City of Bulawayo, in the former British colony of Southern Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe). After training as a bookkeeper, she married her first husband Michael Steward in 1951 at the Church of Ascension chapel.
Michael and Rosemary, both keen African wildlife enthusiasts, spent much of their leisure time camping in the bush with their two young children. As their children grew older, Rosemary and Michael became keen on boating and water-skiing at a local dam near Bulawayo.
After 43 years of marriage, Michael passed away in 1994. Following the sale of the family home, Rosemary moved with her two dogs to a newly built cottage on her daughter, Lynette’s property in Bulawayo. During this period, Rosemary made a few trips to visit her son and his family in Ontario Canada. On one of these visits to Ontario she met Dennis Houghton.
In 2000, Rosemary immigrated to Ontario Canada. Shortly thereafter she married Dennis Houghton. Dennis and Rosemary spent several years together enjoying their golden years travelling to foreign destinations. Dennis passed away in 2005. In 2017 Rosemary moved to Victoria, BC with her son Richard and daughter-in-law.
Known for her beauty, spunk and creativity, Rosemary enjoyed knitting, sewing, pottery and in her later years, painting. She worked throughout her life as a bookkeeper both professionally and for the nonprofit groups she was involved in, such as The Rhodesian Wildlife Society, the Ncema Dam Boating Club, the I.O.D.E, and St. Paul’s/St John’s Anglican church, Haileybury Ontario.
Rosemary is predeceased by her parents, Herbert John and Eleanora (nee Sherriff) Coppin, husbands Michael Steward and Dennis Houghton, and survived by her daughter Lynette (Denzil), her son Richard (Maureen), grandchildren Candice, Tyrin (Georgie), Matt (Monica), Tristan, David (Jenny), and her greatgrandchildren, Ewan, Mitchell, Elijah, Oliver, June, Leah and Quentin.
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted by Reverend Wendy Read at 2:30 pm (Pacific Time), in St. John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Road, BC, on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
13 Responses
Dear Rosemary came into our lives 50 years ago in Bulawayo, Rhodesia.
Her son Richard married Maureen, our sister, and we all became one family.
She was a beautiful, kind, and happy Lady who showered love on all she met.
We have enjoyed many wonderful times with her in Bulawayo, Haileybury Peterborough and Victoria.
Our last visit to her was a few weeks before she passed away. As always she was so pleased to see us.
Rest in peace dear friend. You will always be missed and live on in our hearts.
Our condolences to Richard, Maureen, Lynette, Denzil and all the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
The world was a better place because of Rosemary.
David and Cynthia Wilson.
Dear Richard and Maureen, I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was such a lovely lady and a very dear friend. Sincere condolences to the entire family. May she rest in peace.
I am so sorry to learn of Rosemary’s passing. I treasure the memories of our art classes together. We had such fun trying out new techniques and creating. May she rest in peace. My thoughts are with her family at this time.