Rosemary Wood, age 84 of Kenosha, died on Thursday, September 21, 2017, with her sons by her side.

Born in Kenosha on April 7, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Mariano and Augustine (Markese) Conforti.  She attended Bain Elementary School, Washington Jr. High School, Mary D. Bradford High School and Gateway Technical College.

On September 13, 1952, she was united in marriage to James A. Wood.  He preceded her in death on June 4, 1986.

Rosemary was employed at AMC/Chrysler Corporation as a Procurement Specialist, retiring in 1989.  She previously was employed as a Ceramic Instructor at CYC and Vocational School, a Legal Secretary with Lepp & Phillips, a Clerk with Prudential Insurance Company and a Typist at Jockey International.

She was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and the St. Anthony’s Rosary Society where she had held the position of President.  Rosemary was also past President of the AMC Five Year Club and past Secretary for the Kenosha Sport Fishing and Conservation Club.  She was also a past member of the Catholic Women’s Club and the Kenosha Women of the Moose Chapter #155 where she held various positions.

Rosemary was the first woman in Kenosha to achieve her Coast Guard Approved Captains License for Lake Michigan and Inland Waters in 1985, with the status of Charter Captain and she operated her own fishing boat until 1998.

She enjoyed boating, fishing, swimming, reading, roller skating and singing.  With her artist abilities, she created Lapidary and Silver creations, ceramic, knitting, crocheting and various other crafts.  She loved the challenge of solving crossword and sudoku puzzles.

Rosemary is survived by her two devoted sons who she loved and cherished with all of her heart, Mike D. (Nancy Gentz) Wood and John A. (Nancy Beyer) Wood; five grandchildren, Zac Wood, Jennifer Neeley, Lee Beyer, Rob Beyer and Travis Beyer and eight great grandchildren, Sawyer and Zane Wood, Oliver and Nathan Beyer, Bridgette, Natalie and Sophia Neeley and Emily Agustin.

She is further survived by her sister, Rachael Chianelli and nieces and nephews, Terri Phillips, Eric Phillips, Allison Phillips, Kayle Wood, Bridget Powell, Lisa Fox, and Brian Wood.

The family would like to thank all of their dear relatives, friends and neighbors who helped Rosemary with so many kind deeds.  They also would like to express their gratitude to the aides and nurses Hospice Alliance, Inc. and Dr. Joshua Bloom for their excellent care.  

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Rosemary’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI. In addition, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Rosemary on Thursday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 2223 51st Street, Kenosha.