In Memory Of
Rosemary Harding Williamson
1925
2017
Rosemary Harding Williamson
May 26, 1925 — June 18, 2017
Rosemary Harding Williamson died Sunday, June 18, 2017, at McCrite Plaza, Topeka, KS.
She was born May 26, 1925, in Ottawa, KS, the daughter of Marie Grace Duffy and Dr. William Calvin Harding.
She was a graduate of Ottawa High School, earned a BA from the University of Kansas in 1947, and an MSW from KU in 1970. As a social worker, she was employed by Shawnee County Public Welfare, Kansas Child Welfare, and Topeka & Shawnee County Health Department where she was Chief Social Worker.
She married James Ray Waddell in 1947; they were divorced. She married William Joseph "Bill" Williamson November 15, 1985. Together, they were familiar faces at community and social events. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, National Assn. of Social Workers, University of Kansas Alumni Assn., Shawnee County Master Gardeners, League of Women Voters, Kansas Democratic Party, Helping Hands Humane Society and Topeka Country Club. She loyally supported many community efforts including Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Let's Help, Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University Foundation, Topeka Community Foundation, ARTSConnect, and Friends of KTWU. She loved gardening, movies, politics and helping others. In retirement, she and Bill visited Venice, Rome, London, Hawaii, Paris, New York City, Florida, California, Bermuda and the Bahamas; sailed on the QEII, flew on the Concorde, and saw Frank Sinatra.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Billie Marie "Bee" Harding, and a whole lot of well-loved and adored pets.
She is survived by her daughters Carol McDowell (John Bottenberg), Margaret Carkhuff (Tim), both of Topeka, and Mary Apt (Charles H. III), Iola; grandchildren Sarah Carkhuff Fizell (Jason), Emily Duncan (Ryan), Maggie Apt Dickerson (Kerry), Capt Tyner Apt, Lt Charles H. Apt IV, Jenni Bottenberg Brown (Chris) and Jeff Bottenberg; and great-grandchildren Mark and Luke Dickerson, Astra and Geneva Fizell, Rory Bottenberg, and Tyler, Alec, and Joshua Stock.
The family extends special thanks to McCrite Plaza and Midland Care for their compassionate and professional care.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th St., Topeka 66603; Rosemary Harding Williamson and Family Scholarship Fund, Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar, Topeka 66604; or ARTSConnect, 515 S Kansas Ave., Ste. A, Topeka 66603.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Grace Episcopal Cathedral. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting the family. To leave the family a special message, please select the Share Memories option listed above.
She was born May 26, 1925, in Ottawa, KS, the daughter of Marie Grace Duffy and Dr. William Calvin Harding.
She was a graduate of Ottawa High School, earned a BA from the University of Kansas in 1947, and an MSW from KU in 1970. As a social worker, she was employed by Shawnee County Public Welfare, Kansas Child Welfare, and Topeka & Shawnee County Health Department where she was Chief Social Worker.
She married James Ray Waddell in 1947; they were divorced. She married William Joseph "Bill" Williamson November 15, 1985. Together, they were familiar faces at community and social events. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, National Assn. of Social Workers, University of Kansas Alumni Assn., Shawnee County Master Gardeners, League of Women Voters, Kansas Democratic Party, Helping Hands Humane Society and Topeka Country Club. She loyally supported many community efforts including Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Let's Help, Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University Foundation, Topeka Community Foundation, ARTSConnect, and Friends of KTWU. She loved gardening, movies, politics and helping others. In retirement, she and Bill visited Venice, Rome, London, Hawaii, Paris, New York City, Florida, California, Bermuda and the Bahamas; sailed on the QEII, flew on the Concorde, and saw Frank Sinatra.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Billie Marie "Bee" Harding, and a whole lot of well-loved and adored pets.
She is survived by her daughters Carol McDowell (John Bottenberg), Margaret Carkhuff (Tim), both of Topeka, and Mary Apt (Charles H. III), Iola; grandchildren Sarah Carkhuff Fizell (Jason), Emily Duncan (Ryan), Maggie Apt Dickerson (Kerry), Capt Tyner Apt, Lt Charles H. Apt IV, Jenni Bottenberg Brown (Chris) and Jeff Bottenberg; and great-grandchildren Mark and Luke Dickerson, Astra and Geneva Fizell, Rory Bottenberg, and Tyler, Alec, and Joshua Stock.
The family extends special thanks to McCrite Plaza and Midland Care for their compassionate and professional care.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th St., Topeka 66603; Rosemary Harding Williamson and Family Scholarship Fund, Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar, Topeka 66604; or ARTSConnect, 515 S Kansas Ave., Ste. A, Topeka 66603.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Grace Episcopal Cathedral. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting the family. To leave the family a special message, please select the Share Memories option listed above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rosemary Harding Williamson, please visit our flower store.
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