Rosemarie passed away peacefully surrounded by family, with her husband Mark holding her hand and caressing her forehead on April 14th 2021 in Victoria BC where she was taken by the Angels to be with the Lord.
Rosemarie was born in Victoria on July 21st 1961 and is predeceased by parents Franz and Maria Schmid. She leaves the Love of her life, her husband Mark of 35 years. She will be lovingly remembered by sister Heidi, niece Carmen (David) great-nephew Matteo, nieces Claudia & Gisella (Rosario), mother-in-law Shirley, sister-in-law Lorraine (Mike), niece Kathryn (Lyndon), nephews Cameron & Jordan, sister-in-law Michelle (Darren) nieces Janelle (Jared) & Jennifer and many other extended family and friends.
Rosemarie’s life was to be one of service being a BC Civil Servant for her entire working career which included many appointments including Government House where she met Queen Elizabeth and personally got to know five of BC’s Lieutenant Governors. Rosemarie found an additional way of serving the community in philanthropy on the organizational teams for Visions, the Women of Distinction awards and the Board of Ballet Victoria.
Rosemarie’s passions were her garden, cooking and baking to share with family and friends, travel, the Arts, dance and especially ballroom dancing with her husband Mark.
At an early age Rosemarie played the piano but, in her teens, decided to take Ballet and met Paul Destrooper (Future Artistic Director of Ballet Victoria). Rosemarie was to dance with Paul in the school production Mary Poppins where she played Mary Poppins and Paul, Bert. It was hard to imagine that after all those years Paul and Rosemarie would keep in touch and in 2008, she joined the Board of Ballet Victoria as the president. Rosemarie worked with determination, tenacity and tirelessly continuing her passion with Ballet Victoria until she passed away helping to leave a legacy that will live on. As a tribute to Rosemarie, a pair of Pointe Shoes will be interred with her signed by the members of the Company of Ballet Victoria with the inscription “Thank You! Dance with the Angels”. She would have been so proud.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:15)
We thank McCall’s for their organization of a private interment for family and friends at Royal Oak Burial Park.
In Lieu of Flowers please make Donations in Rosemarie’s name to Ballet Victoria PO Box 8877 Victoria, BC V8W 3Z1, https://www.balletvictoria.ca/product-category/donations/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
53 Responses
I remember Rosemarie at dances during workshops.
I didn’t know her personally but she was so kind.
My sincere condolences to you & your family members.
May God guide you during this time.
Sincerely,
Laurene Henwood
Heidi, for the loss of your little sister; Carmen, Claudia & Gisella, for the loss of your auntie; and Mark, for the loss of your lovely and lively life partner I am truly sad. From when we were babies, Rosemarie was my first friend and god-sister and I will sorely miss her.
We will miss Rosemarie, a gracious and beautiful soul who gave tirelessly and never complained. We will treasure the fond memories of our friendship and her dedication to Ballet Victoria. Sending love and light to Mark, family, Paul & Ballet Victoria…and to the community who will carry on her legacy.
Maria & Dan
Brenda and I are shocked and saddened to learn of Rosemarie’s passing. Condolences to you Mark and extended family. She was taken far too soon.
Our sincere condolences to Rosemarie’s family. She was generous, gracious, genuinely kind and always elegant. She will be missed all at Ballet Victoria.
We were so saddened to learn of Rosemarie’s passing. I worked with Rosemarie early in her career in the Honourable Bill VanderZalm’s office where she lit up the office with her bright smile, showed great enthusiasm and patience in every task she undertook. Not only was she bright, but she had a welcoming presence and was so very kind to everyone she met. She also had amazing sense of style for a woman of her young age and carried herself with such grace. Although the years we shared were far too few, she will always have a place in my heart. She is now dancing with the angels and it is her smile that will be my everlasting memory of her. Our sincere condolences to Mark and their family.
To Heidi and Family. Please accept our deepest Sympathy on the passing of Rosemarie.
So Young, so Sad.
Dear Mark
I was both shocked and saddened to hear the news if Rosemarie’s passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Mike
Dear Mark,
Our deepest condolences to you and yours. Rosemarie had such a lovely sense of grace and charm and we feel very blessed that she was a part of our lives.
Stay strong, may cherished memories help ease the pain over time, we know that her presence will always be with you.
I am deeply saddened to learn about Rosemarie’s untimely passing.
I worked with her briefly at the Ministry of Advanced Education back in the early 2000s, and was always impressed by her work ethic and profoundly kind nature. I didn’t know her for very long, but her graciousness made a lasting impression!
I have followed with interest her involvement with Ballet Victoria, and know she will be dearly missed by all who knew her! My deepest condolences on your loss!