Monday, January 2, 2012

Remembering my mother, Rosemary


Rosemary Elizabeth DePasquale Boykin

Mother was born to Jean and D.V. DePasquale of Dickinson, Texas on January 3, 1926.
Her mother, young and an immigrant from Italy at the age of nine, and her father, well-educated and of Sicilian descent from Texas, were parents who insisted that their children
"leave their mark".


My mother, on the right, was a good student, played the piano, was proud of being a gymnast. She went off to SMU at the age of 16.



She married my father, a WW II veteran upon her graduation from college... her father insisting there would be no wedding unless there was a college diploma!
Their courtship was only three months, but their
love lasted 62 years when their passing was but four months
apart from each other.



This is my favorite picture of my mother.
She had done an amazing job of
"leaving her mark"
by 2008.
*She was mother to four children
*She worked throughout most of her married life
at several universities, primarily at Texas A&M University.
*She traveled and lived abroad with my father in Syria, Iran and even eight years in Africa.
*She published two books pertaining to Italian history and genealogy.
*She wrote and illustrated cookbooks for fundraisers as well as for her family.
She had so many more accomplishments.
Most of all she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
I truly miss her.
She would have been 86 years old January 3rd.

Happy Birthday, Mother!




9 comments:

DearHelenHartman said...

What a lovely tribute to your Mother. Thank you so much for introducing her. She sounds like a truly amazing lady.

Unknown said...

What a sweet memorial to your mother -- an amazing woman and so lovely.

Blessings!
Gail

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Yes, you're dear mother was a wonderful and pretty lady. A beautiful tribute to her from a no less wonderful daughter, who is so lucky to be her child. Happy New year and many blessings.
FABBY

LPC said...

She sounds like a fantastic woman, even more so for being so lovingly remembered by her daughter.

Theresa said...

What a beautiful Lady! I know that you miss her, I miss mine too! I love that last picture of your Mother, big beautiful smile:) Hugs to you dear Karen and Happy Birthday to your Precious Mama!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Very nice tribute to you Mother. She sounded like such an interesting and smart woman. I can see how proud your are of her :)

Laura said...

This is lovely Karen.
Just lovely-

Laura

Nancy's Notes said...

Karen, what a beautiful way to remember your dear mother. She was and incredible lady and I feel truly honored to have known her. What a treasure of photograph, so captured her exquisite beauty!

Hugs,
Nancy

Sue said...

I love your vintage family photos, Karen, and what a nice tribute to your mom. I just read your scrapple recipe- now this is truly unique! Can't say I have ever heard of it. I grew up in NM, so maybe it is a regional thing? :-)