Rosemary A. Sawaski

Rosemary Ann Sawaski, age 91, of Caspian, MI, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2014 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls, MI. She was born July 17, 1922 in Ashland, WI, the daughter of the late William and Sophie (Livo) Novak. She attended the Wakefield Schools, graduating with the class of 1940. She then attended the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit, receiving her R.N. degree in 1944. Rosemary served as a nurse with the U.S. Army during WWII, and was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant. She married Dr. William Chickering, M.D. in 1944 in Detroit, MI. She later married Henry Sawaski on December 3, 1946 in Wakefield, MI. The couple moved to Iron River in 1947 and she was employed by the former Stambaugh General Hospital and then in 1972, became the Director of Nursing for the Iron County Medical Care Facility, retiring in 1976. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, and later St. Agnes Catholic Church and St. Cecilia Catholic Church. She was a member and Past President of the Daughters of Isabella, and member of St. Ann's Society, and the Rosary Sodality. Rosemary was an avid quilter and made all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren beautiful quilts. She also stitched numerous stuffed teddy bears, and was very generous with her talents, giving away many stitched items. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry on October 31, 1994. Rosemary is survived by her; daughters, Mary Chickering (Bill) Stolberg of Manchester, MI, and Barbara Sawaski Tousignant of Grayslake, IL; son, William Sawaski of Iron River, MI; brother, William Novak of Crystal River, FL; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase, Pastor, to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The ladies of St. Ann’s Society and the Rosary Sodality will form an Honor Guard at the service. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites following the service. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rosemary A. Sawaski, please visit our flower store.