Rosemary LAFREE

9 SEP 1929 - 14 JAN 2016

• BIRTH: 9 SEP 1929, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 14 JAN 2016, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

• MARRIAGE: 7 JAN 1950, St Joseph County IN

INDEX

[N25611] Rosemary A. “Cookie” LaFree Gilpin

Birth 9 Sep 1929
Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, IN

Death 14 Jan 2016 (aged 86)
South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN

Burial
Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens
Osceola, St. Joseph County, IN
Memorial ID 157073294

==============

Rosemary A. "Cookie" Gilpin, 86, of South Bend, IN passed away at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016 at home. She was born on September 9, 1929 in Mishawaka, IN to the late George and Clara (LaCluyze) LaFree. She was raised by her stepmother, Allene LaFree after her mother died when she was nine years old. On January 7, 1950 in South Bend, IN, she was united in marriage to Donald E. Gilpin. Mrs. Gilpin is survived by her husband of sixty-six years, Donald E. Gilpin; three daughters, Beverly (Gary) Harman of Goshen, IN, Nancy (Mark) Richards of Elkhart, IN and Julie (Chuck) Botchuck of Dallas, NC; six grandchildren, Christopher, Phillip, Nathan, Lyndsey, Chad and Betsy; nineteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and two brothers, James LaFree and Roger Mathia, both of South Bend, IN. She was preceded in death by three sisters, LaVerna Hesch, Elnora Leininger and Florine Baker and brother, George LaFree, Jr. Mrs. Gilpin lived most of her life in South Bend, moving to Elkhart in 1964 and moving back to South Bend in 1994. She retired in 1989 after twenty years of service at Bayer Corporation. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and Rosary Society, Purdue Home Ec Club, and Professional Secretaries International. After retiring, she wrote a book titled, "My Love of Life and the Joy of Living It." She gave away over 100 copies. Mrs. Gilpin learned to oil paint and gave away over 100 paintings. She loved making porcelain dolls and embroidery and continued to share her talents, giving them away as well. Mrs. Gilpin loved to travel with her husband, traveling to all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Islands and Europe. One of her favorite sayings was "Instead of I wish we would have, I'm glad we did". A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2016 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, IN. Graveside services and interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3781 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN where a rosary will be recited at 2:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of Rosemary A. Gilpin may be offered to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 U.S. 31 S. South Bend, IN 46614 or Grace Hospice, 5838 W. Brick Road, Suite 101, South Bend, IN 46628.