Obituary of Rosemary Ankner

"You can always tell where a beautiful soul has been by the tears and the smiles left behind."

Rosemary Ankner passed away on Saturday June 9, 2018. She was 82.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 15th at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Ave., Denville.  Interment will follow at Marcella Union  Cemetery, Rockaway Township.  Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, June 14th from 4-7 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, Denville.   Donations in her memory may be made to the Green Pond First Aid Squad by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org.

Rosemary was the daughter of the late Frank and Rosemarie McGarry.  After graduating from nursing school, she married John Ankner. The couple settled in Green Pond, where they raised their family of six.  

Rosemary was an exceptional mother and nurse, who devoted her life to caring for others.  She worked at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville until her retirement in 1997.  Her work in labor and delivery brought her much joy. When she wasn’t at work, she was rarely found without either a book or a set of knitting needles in her hands. 

Those who knew her best will remember the toughness that allowed her to raise six children while working full time and struggling to stretch the family budget. They will also remember a tenderness of heart that led her to any number of small kindnesses and sacrifices.

John, her husband of 42 years, died in 2002. She is survived by her children, John (Judy), Michael, Mary Sue, Tom (Austin Williams), Karen, and Sarah; her grandchildren, Amy, Michaeland Thomas; her sister Susan Davies (Bob); brothers Frank McGarry (Penny) and Kevin McGarry (Kathy); sister in law Lynne McGarry and many more dear relatives, friends and neighbors. Her brother Brian McGarry passed previously.