Rosemary Jantzen Doherty

Rosemary Jantzen Doherty was born January 21, 1918 in the then-tiny town of Bartelso, Illinois before anyone there had a car, a TV, or indoor plumbing. The second of five children in a happy Midwestern American family, Rosemary grew up during a time of momentous change. Encouraged by loving parents, Rose and Louis, and surrounded by remarkably energetic siblings, Severin, Louis, Blanche, and Dennis, Rosemary very early developed a sustaining progressive faith, a powerful belief in education, and a passionate interest in advancing opportunities for women.
Graduating cum laude from St. Louis University in 1939, Rosemary was awarded a Masters degree in English literature at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, in 1943. While beginning to pursue a Ph.D. Rosemary, among her many remarkable V-12 World War II veteran students, met an engaging, tall and slender Irish-American, Thomas Doherty, whom she married on June 26, 1947. Rosemary and Tom settled in South Bend, Indiana, where Rosemary pursued a career in teaching, first at Riley High School, then at I.U. Extension South Bend, and finally at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, where Rosemary taught from 1961 until her retirement in 1982. In May 1982 she received the Spes Unica Award from Saint Mary's for excellence in college teaching.
Rosemary and Tom, a successful industrial designer and talented artist, were a great pair, and are now to their great joy reunited in afterlife. In her long life, Rosemary wore many hats, among them those of faithful correspondent, mentor, feminist, volunteer, gardener, and cook extraordinaire. Rosemary and Tom are remembered with great love, admiration, and affection by their four children: Lillian (Harvey) Luksenburg, Rosemary Doherty (Vince Beyer), Michael Doherty (Roberta Adams), and Katherine (Michael) Murphy; their seven grandchildren: Rachel Beyer (Jonas Carpenter), Vinnie Beyer, David Mitchell, Rebecca Murphy, Tommy Murphy, Tamsin Doherty, and Graham Doherty; and their many extended family members, friends, and colleagues.
A gathering to visit with family will take place from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, December 28 at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 29 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Traverse City. The Rev. Father Anthony Citro will preside.
The family has asked that Rosemary be remembered through memorial contributions to the Immaculate Conception Parish Food Pantry.