Rosemary Palma, 89, of Topeka, passed away on May 5th, 2025 at home.
Frances Rosemary Foster Palma was born in Topeka, Kansas, to Francis Robert and Blanche Linehan Foster. She was the youngest of her mother’s three “Dollies” as the girls were called. Growing up was great fun for Rosemary with her sisters and the “Linehan” cousins who were all Irish girls.
Rosemary attended Saint Mary’s Academy and graduated from Hayden High School. She worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield before marriage and the Kansas Arts Commission after her kids were raised. She was a lifelong member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church and volunteered over many years, including being a member of the Christian Formation Committee. Rosemary, her sisters and all their husbands were Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Associates.
Rosemary married John Palma in 1955 and lived next door to her mom and dad, and one door away from her sister Margaret and her family. Rosemary would always say it was an ideal situation with family so close. After her parents were gone, her other sister, Mercedes moved into the middle house and the three “dollies” were reunited. They spent many happy years in “the neighborhood” and Rosemary enjoyed talking about the international flavor of the neighborhood; with her husband from Italy, one brother-in-law from Ireland and the other brother-in-law being of Lithuanian heritage.
Rosemary’s favorite job was being a mom and was a wonderful first teacher to her kids. She valued the manners lessons she had been taught by her dear mother and did her best to pass that knowledge on. She was also an excellent cook, seamstress, organizer and social secretary. Every vaccine, illness, and lifetime event for all her 7 kids was meticulously notated for posterity in the treasured family Bible. Rosemary’s grandchildren were the joy of her later years and the focus of her gratitude to God in her prayers. Having a great grandson was an added blessing and it was a great gift that she got to meet him.
Rosemary is survived by her husband of 70 years John; children: Julie Ireland (Dave), Leawood, KS; Jeannie Lipscomb (Marty), Edinburg, TX; Nick (Irma), League City, TX; Thomas and Ric, Topeka, KS; sister, Margaret Masilionis, Topeka, KS. Rosemary leaves behind nine grandchildren: Aubrey Ireland, Katy Cardozo (Ben), Kory Jonsson (Scott), Chase Lipscomb (Sarah), Lydia Palma, John Palma, Angelica Starnes (Nick), Olivia Glow (Evan), Dino Palma; great grandson Gunnar Jonsson; two nieces and eleven nephews; and twelve great nieces and eighteen great nephews in the US and Italy. Rosemary is predeceased by her sister, Mercedes Craughwell and sons, Philip and Michael.
Rosemary’s family will receive friends on Thursday evening, May 8, from 5-8:00 P.M., with a Parish Rosary at 6:30 P.M., all at Brennan Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Friday, May 9th, at 10am. Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to your favorite charity.
The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to all the caregivers and staff at Midland Care Hospice at Home.
