Rosemarie Llewellyn

Born on April 3, 1934, Rosemarie Llewellyn (nee Jensen) was the youngest of six children. She grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, where she met and married Edward Monaghan. Her marriage led to a full life, blessed with five daughters, fourteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.  Rosemarie deeply loved her large family and thrived in her role as matriarch. She remained a strong, positive presence in all of their lives. From trips to the shore, Mardi Gras celebrations, graduations and various family parties, Rosemarie was always central to the festivities. She enjoyed hot dogs while cheering from the sidelines of countless sports games, applauding at dance recitals and savoring beautiful songs at music performances. She had a magical gift of making everyone feel special and loved.  Outside of family, Rosemarie was a social butterfly at Bethlehem Retirement Village.  She founded their chapter of the Red Hat Society, assuming the role of Queen Bee.  She enjoyed gathering with her friends in the gazebo and at social events, and discussing literature with the Book Club. She had a lively, creative mind, expressed through cryptograms, crocheting, painting, baking, creating board games, designing home-made greeting cards and writing plays for her friends to perform. Through her thoughtful and inclusive nature, she organized a modified game of kickball that enabled senior players to shuffle to bases to avoid broken bones and injuries.    As she aged, Rosemarie remained active and continued to challenge herself and develop her talents.  She was an avid reader and loved to learn. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and as a St. Joseph's Associate, guiding others along their journey to become an associate. Rosemarie was very interested in social justice and very active in service to the homeless and working poor as seen through her volunteer efforts at St Francis Inn. Rosemarie started a Lemonade Day at Bethlehem Retirement Village to raise funds to help children with cancer at Children's Hospital.    Although she had an extensive social network, she knew so much about each individual person, maintaining each friendship through her thoughtful and caring spirit.  Just a few months ago, Rosemarie prepared a celebratory speech for a friend who turned 100 years old. Always on the go, Rosemarie never hesitated to stop and find time for her friends and loved ones.    Surrounded by her family in a room full of love, Rosemarie assumed her new role as heaven’s social events coordinator on December 17, 2019. Rosemarie is survived by five daughters - Marilyn McCabe, Nancy Mowery (Robert), Kathleen Solis, Patricia Monaghan and Eileen Wlas (Francis).  Rosemarie was a wonderful mother, good friend, teacher, loving grandmother and a beautiful woman. We are blessed to have had her as a part of our lives and her legacy will remain alive through us in everything that we touch and in all those that we encounter.    Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday, December 27, 2019 from 9-10AM at St. Genevieve Church 1225 Bethlehem Pike Flourtown, PA 19031.  A Funeral Mass will follow at 10AM.  Interment at Oakland Cemetery.    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cancer Research https://give2.chop.edu