Rosemary Barbara Hewitt passed away on September 21, 2017 at the age of 86, surrounded by family.
Rosemary Naal was born on September 8, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. While attending nursing school in Chicago, Rose met and married Frederick John Newirth. They moved to Novato, California and raised four children.
Renowned as “Commando” for her shopping prowess, Rose was also known for her delicious meals. She loved to entertain, travel, volunteer, and attend the symphony and ballet. Along with camping, Rose tried to share her passion for museums, ballet and culture with her children. The Nutcracker Suite was an annual event.
She was thoughtful, kind and made fast friends wherever she went. Rose loved San Francisco and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. She bowled with the Alley Kats, was a founding member of the Dine at Nine dinner club, and was a proud patron of See’s Candy and the Nordstrom cosmetic counter.
In 1977 Rose married John Cameron Hewitt and moved to Cordova, Alaska. She quickly fell in love with the beauty of Alaska, her home for almost 37 years.
Rose was an RN for many years at Cordova Hospital, worked for the Cordova Museum, and was a member of the Cordova Historical Society. She and John built the fishing tender TAMAR. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and in later years enjoyed having lunch and playing cards at the Senior Center.
Rose spent her last 4 years near family in the San Diego area.
She is survived by her sister Dorothy Klitzing; children Frederick John Newirth III (Mary), Dianne McKay (Ken), David Newirth (Edith), and Nancy Lockmiller (Kent); grandchildren Sarah Flood, Frederick John Newirth IV (Reyna), Meagan Craig (Matt), and Ian McKay; great-grandchildren Matthew Sandy, Ashton and Cameron Flood, Austin and Anina Craig; and one on the way, Frederick John Newirth V.
A memorial will take place in Cordova next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Cordova Historical Society, PO Box 391, Cordova, AK 99574.
