Obituary of Rosemerry B Yaw

It was the end of an era for our family when Rosemerry (Rosie) Yaw passed away peacefully on January 6th, 2023.  She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.    She kept us all together with love and care; she was our family glue and her love will continue to flow through our daily lives.

Most importantly, Rosie helped build a family she was immensely proud of and always there for them.  She instilled values of faith, service and selflessness that will carry on in those that survive her.

Rosie, or “Nanny” to her family, was a compassionate, kind-hearted, and generous woman who shared God’s love with all she met. She was a force of good in her community, helping to start Trinity United Methodist Church in Niles, weekly breakfast service to those in need at Broadway  Christian Parrish in South Bend, and started the first United Methodist Women’s group at Northwest United Methodist in South Bend where she attended.

   When she wasn’t busy helping others, Rosie could be found playing the piano, baking cookies, or rooting so loud for Notre Dame Football, that family in other states could hear her. Hallmark movies, family game nights, and making apple squares also had a special place in her heart.

  She truly valued her friendships with her “53 Club” girls, her Niles high school friends that have met regularly since their graduation in 1953. Rosie had many friends, and she cherished each one of them.  If you were Rosie’s friend you were friends for life.

Rosie was often the first with a phone call or well-timed card, and she treasured her friends that she made at Niles High School, Trinity United Methodist Church, and Northwest United Methodist Church and Broadway Christian Parrish.

Music was a vital piece of Rosie’s soul, and it gave her joy even until her last days.  Her passions for playing the piano was felt by many during her time as a church organist, and she passed this love down to several family members who will continue with their love of music.

Rosemerry B. Fletcher was born August 29^th, 1935 in Niles, Michigan to Irvin & Thelma Fletcher. She was named after her great Aunt, Rose B. Merry. On September 15, 1956 she married Robert Edmund Yaw in her parents’ back yard.

Preceding Rosie was her husband Robert E. Yaw, her parents Irvin & Thelma Fletcher, and a son Thomas Yaw.

Rosie is survived by her children: Steve (Helen) Yaw, Jeff (Carol Geisler) Yaw, and Connie (Randy) Harper.

Rosie is also survived by her Grandchildren: Heather (Vince) DeLalla, Jennifer (Jake) Wozniak, Jordan Harper, Kelly Harper, and Benjamin Geisler-Yaw.

Rosie’s great-grandchildren are Samantha Paige Wozniak, Molly Reece Wozniak, and Magnolia Rosemerry Harper.

Also surviving is Rosie’s brother Rodger (Marsha) Fletcher of Belmont, NC and Sister Ellen Kizer of Buchanan, MI, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life will be held Saturday April 22, 2023 at Northwest United Methodist Church 21855 Brick Rd South Bend, IN. Visitation will be from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. The service will start at 2:30 pm.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Rosie have been asked to consider BroadwayChristianParsh.org.