Rosemary C. Edwards

ALBANY – Rosemary Cummins Edwards, 73, entered Eternal Life on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 peacefully at home. She felt truly blessed to be able to celebrate her 50th anniversary with beloved husband Michael; and to enjoy the last three weeks of her life with her mind still sharp, her senses all working, playing the piano, and visited by streams of friends and family to reminisce and wish her a fond farewell. The example of her gratitude to life, her grace and serenity in the face of death showed the firmness of her Christian faith and is her final gift to all who beheld it. Her generosity, warmth and love were unabated until the end. Rosemary Cummins Edwards was born November 12, 1938 in Albany, the second child of (the late) Joseph and Grace (Ida Holmes) Cummins. Her father’s family was Irish, from New Jersey. Her mother’s family was Norwegian, by way of Oregon. Throughout her life, Rosie was especially proud of her Norwegian heritage and maintained warm relations with her cousins in Norway. Raised in Albany with her older brother Robert, she attended the old School 16 from Kindergarten through eighth grade, and also studied dance and piano. After winning the high school entrance exam scholarship, Rosemary attended the Academy of the Holy Names (Class of 1956), thus beginning her lifelong association with AHN. She graduated from The College of New Rochelle with a B.A. in English literature in 1960 and embarked on her career as an elementary school teacher. In 1962 she obtained a Master’s degree in Education from the College of St. Rose. She met her husband, Michael Edwards, in 1960 at the wedding of mutual friends, Dick and Clare Decker, and the two were married April 28, 1962 in the Grotto of St. Vincent’s church in Albany. Rosemary was an accomplished piano player who used her talent to bring joy to many. An unparalleled accompanist, Rosemary played countless shows for the Bethlehem Central School District, for the Village Stage theatre group, for her first and second grade students, and for both the Middle and Upper Schools at the Academy of the Holy Names. A fitting finale, she was playing in a musical right to the very end, the evening before she learned of her terminal condition. Rosemary’s proudest and happiest vocation was teaching first grade at the Academy of the Holy Names. Her love for the school and her belief in the education of girls and young women energized those around her and touched the lives of hundreds of students. She always said that she wanted to be a part of the school until the very end of her life, and she was blessed to have that wish fulfilled. Throughout her life Rosemary Cummins Edwards has been to all a model of kindness, good manners, generosity, grace and dignity, of sweetness with strength, of humility and gratitude, of Christian faith and Christian life. She was an exemplary product of Catholic education and devoted much of her life to carrying on this tradition of high standards and faith in her teaching career of 30 years at the Academy of the Holy Names. Despite sorrows and difficulties in her life, she has been steadfast in her faith in the Church and in the love, mercy and justice of God and Jesus Christ. She lived by the motto on her refrigerator: “The vocation of a Christian is to find joy in bringing joy to others.” Rosemary is survived by her beloved husband and theatrical partner, Michael; her children, Mark A. (Nora) of Albany, Christopher J. (Christine) of Delmar, and Mary A. (Michael) Convertino of Slingerlands; her grandchildren: Regan, Griffin, Natalie, Cole, Will and Stella; her brother Robert J. Cummins (Sally) of New York City, and niece Joan Cummins Sternberger (Paul) and grand-niece Grace of New York City. She is pre-deceased by her beloved son, Patrick Michael, who died from Cystic Fibrosis in 1979. The Edwards family would like to thank Dr. Rufus Collea, the St. Peter’s Hospice, and the Belvedere nurses (Tashana and Abigale); and also all the many dear Edwards and Cummins family and friends who filled Rosemary’s final weeks with warmth and joy. Funeral services Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Tuesday, May 29, 2012 3:00 to 7:00 pm in the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family earnestly requests that those wishing to honor Rosemary should make a donation to: The Rosemary Cummins Edwards AHN Trust Fund at the Academy of the Holy Names, 1073 New Scotland Ave., Albany, New York 12209 Attention: RCE Trust Fund. This trust fund will provide important financial assistance for young AHN students to receive the type of education that Rosemary worked for her entire adult life. To leave the family a special message on their guest book, obtain a prayer card or directions, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

Tributes

Rosemary C. Edwards

November 12, 1938 - May 22, 2012