Rosemary J. Reddington

Rosemary J. (McGee) Reddington, 87, formerly of Scranton, died Saturday morning in Needham, Mass. She and her husband, Joseph T. "Joe" Reddington, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in October.

Born in Scranton in 1929, Rosemary was the daughter of the late John J. and Julia A. (Cooney) McGee, and later became the daughter-in-law of the late Thomas V. and Sarah (Langan) Reddington. She was the youngest sibling of Francis (Evelyn), Mary, Agnes (John Judge), Kathryn (Ed Parli), Marcella ("Chick" Murphy) and James (Josephine) McGee, and sister-in-law to Thomas (Anne) and John (Dorothy) Reddington, all of whom preceded her in death.

Rosemary attended Nativity of Our Lord School and was a graduate of Scranton Central High School. It was at Central High, while performing the role of Snow White, that she met her "Prince Charming" (Joe), who was playing the role of the Huntsman. She and Joe were married at the Nativity of Our Lord Church in Scranton in 1953. They lived in Levittown and Canoga Park, Calif., before settling in Needham, Mass., in 1966.

Rosemary maintained a passion for theater, music and humor throughout her life. She was always ready with a quick joke, a pun, a song, an impromptu dance or a kind word and a smile. She performed in many community theater productions, and played the piano and sang at nursing homes and senior citizen centers. A devout Roman Catholic, she was very active at St. Bartholomew's Parish in Needham, where she sang in the choir, played the organ and piano, was a former president of the Women's Guild and a member of Amy's Book Club. In addition, she worked at the local polling precinct for nearly 40 years, where she enjoyed keeping in touch with her neighbors. A childhood fan of the Scranton Red Sox, she enthusiastically adopted the Boston Red Sox as her favorite sports team. We know she will continue to be an avid fan of the Red Sox and New England Patriots from on high. When we look to the stars, we will see them as the candles she always kept burning whenever family members were traveling. Fly nicely, Mom!

Rosemary and Joe raised six children, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (with three more on the way!). She happily welcomed all new members to her ever-growing family, making each feel special and well-loved. In addition to her dearest Joe, she is survived by her children and their spouses, Joseph "Jay" Jr. and Terri Reddington; Daniel Reddington and Jody Spiegel; Terrence Sr. and Susan Reddington; Richard Sr. and Debbie Reddington; Maureen Potter; and Katie and David Vaas; her grandchildren and their spouses, Danielle Blaine (Rick); Terrence Jr. and Angela Reddington; Dean and Ashley Reddington; Jeffrey and Jasmine Reddington; Corinne Reddington and fianc, Mike Nowak; Richard Jr. and Laura Reddington; Christopher and Jess Reddington; Joseph Reddington; Brett Vaas and Mallory Vaas; and her great-grandchildren, Owen, Max, Ellie and Reagan Reddington and Kaiha Blaine. She was also "Aunt Roses" to many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

The funeral will be conducted Saturday, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton. The family will receive friends Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 715 Linden St., Scranton. Those attending the funeral are kindly asked to proceed directly to the church. Interment to follow in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 220 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017, or online at stjude.org.