Rosemary Blashill, 84, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, public health leader, and faithful Catholic, Rosemary spent her life caring for others with extraordinary compassion and quiet strength even while enduring years of physical pain that she hid with her wonderful smile. She was the loving wife of Jim Blashill. They shared 59 incredible years together, raising their family in Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Born in the Irish settlement of Hubbardston, MI, she was the daughter of Owen and Bernice Burns. She bravely left her hometown after high school to attend Mercy School of Nursing in Ann Arbor, first serving in the burn unit before following her passion for leadership and education. She inspired future generations of nurses by teaching at Lake Superior State University before transitioning into public health, where she combined clinical expertise with a deep commitment to improving the health and well-being of entire communities.

She spent many years as a nurse administrator at the Chippewa County Health Department and the LMAS District Health Department, where her compassionate leadership touched countless lives. Her commitment to caring for others was further demonstrated by her work in Hospice and Home Health Care which eventually led her and several passionate colleagues to purchase a nursing facility that was at risk of closing so its vulnerable residents could remain in the community they called home. Following her retirement, Rosemary continued her lifelong mission of service as a consultant with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Child and Adolescent Health Center Program. Grounded in the resilience and faith of her Irish heritage, she balanced an extraordinary career with an unwavering devotion to her family, always there for anyone who needed her, including many “bonus” children who also grieve her loss.

Rosemary lived her life a devout Catholic, never leaving home without a Father Solanus badge. She was an incredibly strong woman, yet so caring and loving. Her greatest gift was making people feel seen, welcomed, and deeply loved. Whether you were family, a lifelong friend, a colleague, or someone she had just met, she had a remarkable way of making you feel like you belonged. Caring for others wasn’t simply her profession – it was the way she lived her life.

She is survived by husband Jim Blashill, children Lisa (Steve) Peacock, Deb Blashill (Chris McKee), Jeff Blashill (Erica), and Tim Blashill (Erin) and grandchildren Jacob Peacock (Olivia), Stacia Peacock, Caroline Peacock, Erin Peacock, Teddy Blashill, Josie Blashill, Owen Blashill, Jackson Blashill, and Glennie Rose Blashill, great grandchildren, Rory and Louise Peacock, brother Norm Burns (Jeanne), sister in law and brother in law, Mary Kay and Richard Manjerovic, as well as multiple nieces and nephews that she loved like her own children. She will be reunited in heaven with her parents Owen and Bernice Burns, as well as her siblings Ron Burns, Jean Ann Schafer, Carol Burns, Mike Burns, and Betty Burns. She is also deeply missed by her special nursing friends of over 60 years.

The legacy Rosemary leaves is measured not only by her accomplishments, but by the countless lives she touched with kindness, courage, and compassion.

The family will receive visitors at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St. Traverse City on Sunday, August 9, 2026 from 4 – 6 pm with a rosary beginning at 6 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Reverend Ken Stachnik at 11 am on Monday, August 10, 2026 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire, Michigan with visitation beginning at 10 am.

Memorial donations can be directed to Hospice of the EUP or the Solanus Casey Center of Detroit, MI.