Rosemarie Theresa Pye

Our dearly beloved, sainted mother, Rosemarie T. Pye, age 92, entered the Kingdom of Heaven, on May 6th, 2021, where she was welcomed by a multitude of family and friends. She was born on August 28, 1928 to William Joseph Richards and Pauline Mormino in St. Augustine, Florida. As an only child, she enjoyed the attention of a large, Italian, extended family and spent much of her childhood enjoying the beaches, fishing with her father and cooking with the family. She reportedly graduated from Robert E. Lee High School where a plaque was inscribed for saving the life of a fellow classmate. However, her yearbook picture is mysteriously absent and the beautiful young woman who looks as she did at that age has a different name, so our suspicions of an alternate life are now confirmed.
After graduation, she attended the University of Michigan with aspiration of becoming a medical doctor, but unfortunately broke her back in a sledding accident. Told she would never walk again, she was fully ambulatory within a year due to her strong faith and determination. She later gave up a promising career to undertake her greatest roles ever, that of selfless military wife, extraordinary mother, and unlicensed community social worker in her constant support to friends and neighbors. She and our father took care of animals and people, opening their home to friends in needs and helping them to get back on their feet.
If anyone should have owned a restaurant, it was Mom! She was an awesome cook that would put any professional chef to shame, making most of her meals from scratch and unable to cook for less than a dozen people despite a small immediate family. It was not uncommon for neighbors to arrive at the door with a plate in hand when the delicious odors wafted out the window and down the street.
She was never frugal, but she knew how to stretch a dollar like no one else and we never wanted for anything. A child of the Depression, nothing was wasted; she upcycled before it was ever popular. She was extremely talented and creative with her crochet, embroidery and artwork. She prayed daily, knew no strangers and saw the best in everyone through her rose-colored glasses. She loved her family, Luciano Pavarotti, movies, orchids and especially Christmas.
At 92, she was proceeded in death by most everyone, including the love of her life, her husband of nearly 50 years, O. Parker Pye, Jr., her parents, grandparents, and a multitude of others. She is survived by her grateful children, Darlene Hall, Paul L. Pye, and Rosemarie Crespo and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We could not have asked for better parents. While our hearts are heavy, we have years of nothing but great memories, personal mementos, lasting words of love and the coveted long file box of hand-written, somewhat stained recipes.
Cremation will be held on May 13th, 2021 at Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home with interment at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please honor her words of wisdom, “Love each other, forgive all trespasses and do one good deed a day.”

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.