Rosemary K. Sausen

Rosemary K. Sausen, age 92 of Hockessin, DE passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

Rosemary was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1929 and was the daughter of O.F. and Margaret Ann Keller.  Rosemary was raised in St. Paul and attended the College of St. Catherine in Liberal Arts Studies and also the University of Minnesota School of Social Sciences with an emphasis in sociology.  Rosemary and George married in St. Paul in June 1951 and moved to Wilmington, DE in 1953.  After raising her five children, Rosemary continued her education at Our Lady of Angels College in Continuing Education.

From 1970 to 1973, she served as project leader of the Urban Development Office of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.  From 1973 to 1977 she served as the Administrator of the Kidney Foundation of DE.  She planned and coordinated foundation activities.  She attended the University of Delaware and received her Volunteer Administration Certification.  Rosemary initiated the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Parish Outreach Program and served as Director from 1977 to 1991 when she retired.  Rosemary was involved in many community service organizations.  She was a Charter member of the Public Relations committee for St. Mark’s High School, People’s Forum Committee for Padua Academy, Christian Family Movement, and Brandywine YWCA.  Rosemary was a Charter member and first President of the Garden Gate Garden Club.  Rosemary also published articles in the following publications:  Parish Social Ministry, National Catholic Conference and Gathering God’s People.

She was a life member of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers.  Among her hobbies included the study of family genealogy of the Sausen, McIntyre, Keller and Gerth families with over 4000 reference names in the Family Tree Maker database.  She is also a long-time member of the Tankopanicum Literary Capital Society book group.  Rosemary and family enjoyed recreational camping over the years, especially in the US and Canadian Rocky Mountains.  In the spring they enjoyed camping on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina.

Rosemary was preceded in death by George in 2019 after 68 years of marriage, as well as her daughter, Anne and sister, Barbara.  She is survived by George M. (Debby) of Laurel Springs, NJ; Mary Cay Armstrong (Steve) of Wilmington, DE; Thomas Sausen (Adele) of Kennett Square, PA and Peg Desendorf (Ray) of West Chester, PA.  Her surviving grandchildren are Michael Sausen, Dana (Sausen) Naccarelli, Mark, Lee and Clare Sausen, Jenna (Desendorf) Lawson, Katie (Armstrong) Manieri and Mollie Armstrong, and seven great grandchildren (Charlie Kazaba, Colby and Tyler Lawson, Sophia and Luke Sausen and Michael and Olivia Manieri).

The family is grateful to the Cokesbury Village OakBridge Terrace Staff for their love, kindness and compassionate care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.  Burial immediately following at All Saints Cemetery.  We will be practicing Covid protocol during Mass.  Please be respectful and wear a face covering.  For those unable to attend Mass, a livestream is available at https://youtu.be/4CbgQrMJaRc.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Outreach Office, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.