Rose Mary Schaeffer (Calovich), 96, passed away at home in the presence of family on April 17, Holy Thursday, 2025. Rose Mary was born to Croatian immigrants Mirko and Mary (Car) Calovich on the Feast of St. Blaise, February 3, 1929, in Kansas City, Kansas. She grew up in the Strawberry Hill immigrant neighborhood of Kansas City, attending St. John the Baptist Croatian Catholic Church and school with fond memories of her Uncles Nick Calovich, Mike Car, Peter Macan and Aunt Barbara Macan.
In 1946 Rose Mary married the love of her life, Robert "Roy" Schaeffer at St John the Baptist Catholic Church following his return from serving in World War II. Outside of deployment in the Pacific, Roy had been stationed in Washington state while in the military, and it was to Seattle that he brought Rose Mary and their young family in the 1950s. In total they had 12 children: Robert, Ellen, Daniel, Mark, Linda, Mary, Joseph, Angela, Teresa, Marjory, Francine, and Janet. Beyond Seattle, Roy and Rosemary lived in Enumclaw, Pasco, Kennewick, and Lynnwood, Washington. For many years they taught dance lessons and enjoyed spending winters in Arizona.
Rose Mary was known for her laugh, which conveyed the twinkle in her bright blue eyes and the joy in her heart. She delighted in her Catholic Faith and sharing life with Roy along with her children and generations of grandchildren. She also took joy in making beautiful dance dresses and fond memories of Roy twirling her around the dance floor along with many good times with loved ones.
Our dear Rose was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents Mirko and Mary Calovich, her siblings Nicholas Calovich, Cathryn Callahan, Helen Cowley and Ljubica Gaspic, as well as her sons Daniel, Mark and daughter Janet. She is survived by 9 children, 18 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. The family is deeply grateful for the close presence and loving care provided by her middle daughter Linda for nearly two decades that helped Rose Mary to remain living in her own home.
Rose Mary and Roy were longtime parishioners of St. Thomas More Parish in Lynnwood. As an active member of Catholic Daughters, Rose Mary enjoyed many years of volunteering at the Parish, including filling the weekly bulletins, making and providing food for funerals as well as participating in the Feed My Sheep program to support those in need. A Mass of Christian Burial is to be held at St. Thomas More Parish, with subsequent interment memorial at Tahoma National Veteran's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Lynnwood. She will be always in our hearts and prayers.