Rosemary Crosby

NAUGATUCK-Mrs. Rosemary Ann (O'Connor) Crosby, 81, of 71 Osborn Rd, Naugatuck, retired Secretary of Crosby Plumbing and Heating, died Monday evening June 20,2009 with her family at her side. She was the widow of Donald D. Crosby Sr., who died in 1998 after more than 50 years of marriage.

Rosemary was born June 12, 1928, in Waterbury, CT, the daughter of the late Thomas and Helen (Jackson) O'Connor. Rosemary was raised and lived in Naugatuck all of her life and attended St. Francis Grammar School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1945. Mrs. Crosby owned and operated the family plumbing business with her husband Donald for many years. She was a former Vice President and recording secretary of the Naugatuck Woman's Club, President of the Peter J. Foley Women's Auxiliary and secretary of the Junior Football League. Rosemary was a former member of the Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association along with her husband Donald and enjoyed racing thoroughbreds for many years in New England and New York where they made many friends. Rosemary, affectionately known as Nanny by her grandchildren, whom she adored, loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Rosemary leaves three children, Thomas Crosby of Naugatuck, Donald Crosby Jr. and his wife Rachel of Beacon Falls, Susan Roskosky and her husband Thomas of Naugatuck; three grandchildren, Alison Crosby, David Roskosky and Heather Roskosky. Rosemary also leaves her four nieces who were special to her including Jeannie Nasif, Joyce Stabile and Lisa Bozzi and their families from Rhode Island and Cynthia Crosby and her family from Bristol, CT and two nephews Woody and Douglas Crosby from Washington and California. She feaves her close cousin and dear friend Jack Gormley and his family of Atlanta, Georgia. Rosemary felt very fortunate to have had close friendships with the late, Marion Gormley, Pat Heller and the late Ann Schmidt.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, July 24th at 10:30 a.m. from the Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. and proceed to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday July 24th from 9 a.m. until the procession leaves for church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Conn., 2139 Silas Deane Hwy., Rocky Hill,06067.