Rosemary Mourn was born in Newton, KS, on October 4, 1927, to Frank and Rosaline (McCarthy) Bornowsky.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Francis, Bernard, and Mark; husband, Rawlin; son, Bruce (Connie); daughter, Nancy; and granddaughter, Kimberly.
Rosemary is survived by: ten of her children, Theresa Lewis (Ken), Anthony (Patsy), David (Jean), Dianna Mourn (Steve Hein), Douglas (Nancy), Melinda Beyer (Michael), Myron, Nathan (LeEtta), Anna Rein (Jim), and Richard (Cristi); 38 grandchildren; 82 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Gary Fullerton; and brother-in-law, Wallace (Sharen) Mourn.
Rosemary was raised in Newton, KS, and there began her education, faith formation, and family. She continued her education in cosmetology school. On October 3, 1948, she married Rawlin G. Mourn and soon moved to Hutchinson, KS, where they raised their 12 children and encouraged them in the ways of the Catholic faith. Rosemary helped meet the practical challenge of a large family by gardening on a large scale. She is legendary for her bread-making, not only in the mesmerizing quality of product, but the massive quantities scribed in her recipes. She kept an immaculate house which reflected both on her tireless work ethic, but also her management skills as she enlisted and taught her children to do their share and aspire to her standards. She was a perfectionist and often said, “If you don’t do it right, then don’t do it at all”. She took pride in the condition of her yard and flowers even through the many years when most tasks fell on her alone.
Rosemary’s passion as a devoted wife and mother seemed fueled by her love for music. Her home was often filled with singing around the piano or organ, frequently with her children joining the enamoring magic of Rawlin’s perfect tenor harmony. She led the choirs at Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Teresa’s Catholic churches where she was also a lead vocalist and organist for decades. Rosemary particularly loved music as an expression of her faith.
Central to Rosemary’s identity was her devotion to the Catholic faith and the life of the church. Faith carried her through the raising of 12 children and the loss of brothers, parents, husband, and two children. Rawlin died in July of 1986 and she eventually moved to Colorado Springs, CO. She remained joyful through many years of intense physical pain and had a playful sense of humor. Even to the end, she encouraged others to talk to God and that in Divine Communion there would be found help.
Rosemary passed peacefully at home on February 22, 2023, and will be sorely missed by family and friends. She leaves an indelible legacy of love for family, of caring actions for friends, and commitment to the church and its tenets of faith.
Parish rosary will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:15 a.m., at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th, Hutchinson, KS. Both services will be officiated by Father Matt Glazier. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. A public reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Sand Hills Center, 4601 N. Plum Street, Hutchinson, KS. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, with the family present from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.