Rosemarie A. Wozniak

Rosemarie Wozniak, 87, passed peacefully at Pilgrim Manor nursing home in Plymouth, Indiana. Rosemarie lived with her Parkinson’s diagnosis for over thirty years, navigating its challenges with grace, dignity, and a perennially positive attitude.

Rosemarie was born on May 13, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Marie (Altier) Palumbo. Rosemarie excelled academically bypassing two grade school levels and graduating from high school at the age of seventeen. After traveling to Europe at nineteen, she returned to a marriage proposal from Walter Wozniak. Wally and Rosemarie met as coworkers at the Peoples Gas Company in Chicago where they connected over many shared lunches. They fell in love and on January 26, 1957, Wally and Rosemarie wed at the Church of Resurrection. They settled in Northbrook, IL residing there for over thirty years and raising a family of three children: Jay, Karen, and Julie.

Rosemarie retired in 1990 from Village Wallpaper Shop a business that she started with her two cousins Adele and Cookie. Their knowledge of interior design, unique sense of style and love for sharing ideas translated into a successful interior design business spanning over twenty-five years. “The Girls”, as they were known, helped make houses feel like homes shaping design for thousands of families, including some famous names, and brought to all areas of the country. Rosemarie loved sharing design ideas and loved people. The business truly was a labor of love and gifted her with so many lifelong friends. Her love of design continued in retirement and projects kept her interest until her last days, most recently making her room tastefully her own at Pilgrim manor.

In retirement, Rosemarie and Wally made Plymouth their home. After building their retirement home on the 4th hole of the Plymouth Country Club in 1990, they quickly became very active members of the club, most notably helping with design and decorating ideas for the new clubhouse. She and Wally made many new friends and as a proud hostess, Rosemarie was naturally involved with coordinating many social activities for friends and family alike. They also enjoyed wintering in Florida, caring for her mother Marie, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Rosemarie was the first to offer a helping hand and always had a positive attitude. Always the life of the party she enjoyed hosting family and friends and loved the holidays, especially Christmas.

Rosemarie adored her husband, children, and grandchildren. She and Wally were married nearly fifty years when he preceded her in death (2006). She is survived by her three children: Walter “Jay” (Linda) Wozniak – Village of Lakewood, Illinois; Karen (Ben) Kraszyk – Plymouth, Indiana; and Julie (John) Haeffele – East Peoria, Illinois.

She is a proud grandmother of nine grandchildren: Jake (Rachel) Wozniak, Ryan (Amy) Kraszyk, Emily Kraszyk, Ben (Fiancé Emily) Kraszyk, Jon (Megan) Haeffele, and Nicolas Haeffele, Morgan Wozniak, Abby Kraszyk, Megan Wozniak. Rosemarie is a great-grandmother to two great-granddaughters, Everly Rose Kraszyk and Camryn Rose Wozniak.

She is also survived by her brother Bill (Sue) Palumbo and their daughter Mia, her game night neighbor and niece as well as other many treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rosemarie was preceded in death by her parents Marie and William and her brother Robert Palumbo.

Friends will be welcomed by family to celebrate the life of Rosemarie, on Saturday, June 17. Noon service at Saint Michaels Roman Catholic Church, 625 N. Center St., Plymouth, Indiana followed by a celebration of life from 1:30 – 3:30 pm at Swan Lake Resort, 5203 Plymouth Laporte Trail, Plymouth, Indiana.