Rosemary Cahill, age 98, of Seattle Washington passed away peacefully on March 18,2024. Rosemary was born on June 4, 1925, to Eli Benton Roberts, Jr., and Verna Roberts (nee Johnson) in Wichita, Kansas. She was raised in the Texas panhandle town of Booker until her ninth year when she moved with her mother and sister, Dorothea to Wichita, Kansas. She attended Sacred Heart Academy there, graduating from high school in 1943. She attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas. In 1946, at a post-war party in Salina, she met a dashing former Navy Ensign named John Cahill. It was love at first sight and the two were married on June 29, 1948. As John was attending Marquette Law School, the two moved immediately to Milwaukee where Rosemary worked several jobs, supporting the couple until John's graduation in 1950. From 68th & Lloyd Street the family, now with three youngsters, moved to Richfield, WI in 1955 and resided in a wonderful rural environment until 1963 when the family, now with seven children, moved back to Milwaukee. In 1965, a set of twins rounded out the family. At this point, with an attorney husband and nine rambunctious kids, Rosemary certainly earned the reputation of having the patience of a saint.

In 1978 John and Rosemary divorced, each going their separate ways; John to Utah and Rosemary back to her Texas roots, moving to San Antonio, where she was closer to her sister and mother. She still had three children in tow, the others having flown the coop earlier on. She enjoyed a full life there and made many new friends, while still managing the responsibilities of motherhood. In her spare time, she enjoyed opera, her dogs and watching old movies. For eight years, she proudly helped to hand-sew dresses for the annual San Antonio Battle of the Flowers Court. In 1992 Rosemary moved to Seattle. Having managed to raise all the kids into responsible adults, she would now be close to her new, growing brood of grandchildren. Despite the divorce, Rosemary and John remained great friends, and Rosemary would travel with the family on John's annual birthday trips to such places as Austria, Sicily, South Africa, London, Morocco, and many others.

Rosemary was a devout Catholic and her faith provided great support and comfort throughout her life. Family was everything to Rosemary, and she poured her heart and soul into raising and managing such a big family. It was truly her greatest achievement. Her strength, independence, values, and integrity provided a great example for her kids and grandkids. She was a classy, beautiful woman and a loving mother. We will all miss her big smile and wonderful sense of humor.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her father, E.B. Roberts, Jr., her mother, Verna Roberts, and sister Dorothea Roberts.

She is survived by John Cahill; nine children: Kevin (Nancy) Cahill, Dennis (Margy) Cahill, Terry Cahill, Kathy Cahill, Brian Cahill, Mike (Joyce) Cahill, Tim Cahill, Maureen (Todd) Collins, and Tom Cahill; sixteen grandchildren: Colleen (Seth) Raddue, Christine (Matt) Morgan, Eileen (Shane) Mangan, Maureen (Dave) Soto, Patrick Cahill, Frank Cahill, Maureen Cahill, Amy (Jeff) Frith, Laura (Cam) Farnes, James Cahill, Sarah Cahill, Michele Collins, Ryan Collins, Evan Collins, Camden Cahill and Annelyse Cahill; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Ava Raddue, Mikayla Raddue, Olivia Raddue, Owen Morgan, James Morgan, Kiley Mangan, Emily Mangan, Connor Mangan, Alyson Soto, Chloe Frith, Jacob Frith, Mia Frith and Jaxson Farnes.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 10:00am

A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 AM both at

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

8900 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Interment will take place immediately following at Holyrood Cemetery.

Arrangements are being made by the Harvey Funeral Home, 508 N. 36th St., Seattle, Washington 98103. To sign the guestbook go to harveyfuneral.com