Rosemary Catherine Purnell
October 18, 1945 – March 13, 2024
Rosemary Catherine Purnell (Hash), 78, of Annapolis, Maryland passed away on March 13, 2024. She was born on October 18, 1945, in Washington, DC, daughter of the late Dexter and Catherine Hash (Freedman).
Rosemary is survived by her daughters Joanne M. Gay (Steve) of Huntingtown, Maryland and Marjorie E. DiMartino (Tony) of SeaTac, Washington, her grandchildren Barrak L. Gay (Faith), Caitlyn E. Del Colliano (Adam), and Dylan DiMartino and her sister Nancy Munroe (Thom).
Mrs. Purnell was preceded in death by her beloved husband Louis S. Purnell and her brothers Edward Hash and Stephen Hash.
Rosemary married Louis Purnell on November 11, 1967, in Arlington, Virginia. Louis joined the United States Navy and the couple moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. The Navy then relocated the family to Great Lakes, Illinois where they welcomed their daughter, Joanne. The next relocation was to Los Alamitos, California where they welcomed their daughter, Marjorie. The next relocation was to Whidbey Island, Washington State then to Maryland where Louis retired, and the family stayed. The family built their life in Owings, Maryland. Rosemary volunteered in the schools where her children attended and was also their Girl Scout leader. She later went to work for the Federal Government as a secretary. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Calvert Hospice in Calvert County, Maryland for several years.
Services will be held on April 5, 2024, at Calvary United Methodist Church 301 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, Maryland at 10:30 am followed by the interment at Cheltenham Veteran’s Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Condolences
Sort Comments
20 Mar 2024
12:19pm
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your spouse. Losing someone we love is never easy, and during this difficult time, I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May you find comfort in the cherished memories. She will always be remembered.
If there’s anything we can do to support you during this grieving process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s a listening ear or a helping hand, we are here for you.
Wishing you strength, peace, and healing in the days ahead.
With sympathy,
Bay Village Housekeeping Department.
City
Annapolis
State
MD
20 Mar 2024
6:27pm
I have very fond memories of my Aunt Rosemary. Some of my favorite childhood memories were when we would visit during the summer. Thanksgiving at my aunt’s home still touches my heart. Knowing that my Aunt Rosemary will be with her husband, my father and her parents makes her passing bitter sweet. My love goes out to my beautiful cousins and their children.
City
Cedar Creek
State
Texas
21 Mar 2024
12:23pm
Joanne & Family,
So sorry to hear about this loss. We are sending our deepest condolences and will keep you all in our prayers.
Robby and Deana Parker
City
Huntingtown
State
Maryland
23 Mar 2024
2:58pm
To Rosemary’s Family,
I am sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I knew her from HUMC in Huntingtown, MD. We attended church and Bible Study together. She was a kind and sweet lady and always spoke proudly of her children and grandchildren.
City
St. Leonard
State
MD
24 Mar 2024
10:28pm
We knew Rosemary through her work and dedication to Calvert Meals On Wheels. She delivered meals and served on the Board of Directors for many years. She was a great addition to our organization.
We offer you our sympathy for the loss of this lovely lady.
City
Huntingtown
State
MD
25 Mar 2024
1:07pm
So sorry to hear of Rosemary’s passing. We sang together in the Community Chorus.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
2 Apr 2024
4:23pm
Dear Joanne and Marjorie,
I am so very sorry about the unexpected loss of your Mother. I was at your parents wedding and saw them often for a few years after that and they were always holding hands. As happens, when extended family lives all over the country, one easily loses contact. I am so glad I reconnected with Joanne, Steve, Barack, and Caitlin a few years ago. I know Rosemary is now at peace and with Louis after all these years. With sympathy and love,
Aunt Marianne Kernan
City
Pinehurst
State
NC
3 Apr 2024
5:26pm
So sorry about the loss of your mother. She was a sweet lady, who I met years ago at Dunkirk Baptist Church. She helped out during VBS and we became friends after that. She was easy to talk to and I enjoyed her telling me things about my momma ( whom she was also friends with at DBC, before she passed away).
Fast forward, I always knew if Rosemary was going to be at a family event or function I would have someone to talk to, since I had known her for years. She will be missed. I pray for Gods comfort and peace for you all.
City
Huntingtown
State
Maryland
4 Apr 2024
3:48pm
Such a shock, your Mom was a strong, loving person. We became friends in last grade at Davis Elementary School in SE DC. When our families left DC for PG and Montgomery Ctys. we did not see each other as much as we would like. But kept in touch. Then her family moved to Virginia. Summer vacation would be at least a over night visits at each others respective homes.
We attended each other’s weddings and rejoiced in the births of our daughters. Time goes on and she lost her Louis and she bravely raised her beautiful daughters to adulthood by herself.
Will miss her greatly, she was my longest friend – 72 years of friendship. We shared October and Year of births.
Special life-time friend
City
Pomfret
State
MD
Sort Comments
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your spouse. Losing someone we love is never easy, and during this difficult time, I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May you find comfort in the cherished memories. She will always be remembered.
If there’s anything we can do to support you during this grieving process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s a listening ear or a helping hand, we are here for you.
Wishing you strength, peace, and healing in the days ahead.
With sympathy,
Bay Village Housekeeping Department.
I have very fond memories of my Aunt Rosemary. Some of my favorite childhood memories were when we would visit during the summer. Thanksgiving at my aunt’s home still touches my heart. Knowing that my Aunt Rosemary will be with her husband, my father and her parents makes her passing bitter sweet. My love goes out to my beautiful cousins and their children.
Joanne & Family,
So sorry to hear about this loss. We are sending our deepest condolences and will keep you all in our prayers.
Robby and Deana Parker
To Rosemary’s Family,
I am sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I knew her from HUMC in Huntingtown, MD. We attended church and Bible Study together. She was a kind and sweet lady and always spoke proudly of her children and grandchildren.
We knew Rosemary through her work and dedication to Calvert Meals On Wheels. She delivered meals and served on the Board of Directors for many years. She was a great addition to our organization.
We offer you our sympathy for the loss of this lovely lady.
So sorry to hear of Rosemary’s passing. We sang together in the Community Chorus.
Dear Joanne and Marjorie,
I am so very sorry about the unexpected loss of your Mother. I was at your parents wedding and saw them often for a few years after that and they were always holding hands. As happens, when extended family lives all over the country, one easily loses contact. I am so glad I reconnected with Joanne, Steve, Barack, and Caitlin a few years ago. I know Rosemary is now at peace and with Louis after all these years. With sympathy and love,
Aunt Marianne Kernan
So sorry about the loss of your mother. She was a sweet lady, who I met years ago at Dunkirk Baptist Church. She helped out during VBS and we became friends after that. She was easy to talk to and I enjoyed her telling me things about my momma ( whom she was also friends with at DBC, before she passed away).
Fast forward, I always knew if Rosemary was going to be at a family event or function I would have someone to talk to, since I had known her for years. She will be missed. I pray for Gods comfort and peace for you all.
Such a shock, your Mom was a strong, loving person. We became friends in last grade at Davis Elementary School in SE DC. When our families left DC for PG and Montgomery Ctys. we did not see each other as much as we would like. But kept in touch. Then her family moved to Virginia. Summer vacation would be at least a over night visits at each others respective homes.
We attended each other’s weddings and rejoiced in the births of our daughters. Time goes on and she lost her Louis and she bravely raised her beautiful daughters to adulthood by herself.
Will miss her greatly, she was my longest friend – 72 years of friendship. We shared October and Year of births.
Special life-time friend