Rosemarie Kerestan Lachiewicz, age 89, formerly of Perth Amboy and Toms River, has passed away peacefully at Mirador Skilled Nursing Facility in Corpus Christi, TX on April 3rd, 2022.

Rosemarie was born in Perth Amboy, NJ and lived her life proud to be a “Jersey Girl”. She graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1950 as one of the “Fifties Girls”. She soon married Andrew “Whitey” Lachiewicz and made their home in Perth Amboy for 49 years. Rosemarie started working at the Raritan Arsenal where she honed her shorthand and typing skills. She left work for a short period when her children were born and returned to work as a secretary for the Kosene and Belikove insurance firm. In 1969 she joined the workforce of U.S. Metals Refinery (AMAX) in Carteret, NJ. Rosemarie worked there for 25 years serving as the executive secretary for the President and Vice-president of the company. During this time, Rosemarie also volunteered as a kitchen assistant for over 20 years at the National Polish Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA where she will be buried.

After retiring in 1994 Rosemarie and her husband moved to Toms River, NJ where she enjoyed singing in the Lakehurst Catholic Choir and traveling back to Perth Amboy for church activities. She was an active member of St. Stephen’s parish and choir even after moving to Toms River and kept in touch with her many friends from church and work. Following the death of her husband in 2000, Rosemarie moved to Colorado in 2005 to be close to her grandchildren. She was an active member of St. Gabriel’s church and the Rocky Mountain Chorale. She actively supported her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their school and athletic events.

In 2012 she moved to Corpus Christi, TX to live near her daughter, Janemarie. The move was accomplished with the help of her loving nieces Sharyn Milko Leeper and Marlene Milko. Rosemarie was a faithful member of St Helena of the True Cross Catholic Church and enjoyed their talented choir. Once the pandemic hit in 2020, Rosemarie moved in with her daughter and was forced to limit her social and church activities.

Rosemarie was predeceased by her husband, Andrew, her sisters Anna Caron, Mary Pajak, Ella Milko and brothers John, Paul, Peter and Michael Kerestan. She is survived by her son, Gerard Lachiewicz (wife Kim) of Colorado Springs, CO and her daughter, Janemarie Schoonover (husband Martin) of Corpus Christi, TX. She is also survived by her dear nieces LaVerne (Pajak) Mancini, Mary (Pajak) Gadek, Marlene Milko, MaryAnn (Kerestan) Martyniuk, nephew Edward Pajak, and five grandchildren, Krysia (Lachiewicz) Bailey, John Lachiewicz, Rachel Lachiewicz, Monica (Lachiewicz) Orona, and Theresa (Lachiewicz) Lechnir and nine great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Donahue Funeral Home, 1218-20 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown ,PA. on 8 April with internment on 9 April at the shrine for Rosemarie's Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30pm at Cemetery Chapel.  Travel past cemetery gates to the end of the road.  Cemetery chapel is on the left.

Donations or memorials may be made to the National Polish Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901.