Rosemary Wolff

Rosemary Beatrice Wolff 

April 9, 1930 – December 29, 2024

Rosemary Beatrice Wolff, born on April 9, 1930, in San Diego, California, was the youngest child and only daughter of Laurence A. Weseloh and Beatrice “Bea” Edna Weseloh (née Stone). Affectionately called “Goldie” by her father, Rosemary grew up surrounded by love, culture, and the arts. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Our Lady of Peace Academy High School, where her mother, ever supportive, ensured that Rosemary had the opportunity to pursue her passions in dance and music.

Rosemary thrived as part of the Irish dancers at the Irish Cottage in Balboa Park, San Diego, and studied violin with a master violinist. At just 16, she performed as a soloist at the Ford Bowl (later renamed the Starlight Bowl) before a large audience. Music remained a lifelong passion for Rosemary, and she continued to perform with local symphonies, church choirs, and at family gatherings.

Deeply devout, Rosemary felt called to religious life and entered the Carmelite Monastery in San Diego after high school. However, she eventually discerned that religious life was not her true vocation. After leaving the convent, she sought God’s direction for her life. Unbeknownst to her, a young man named Kevin Wolff had been captivated by her violin performance at the Ford Bowl concert. While serving in the Korean War, Kevin quietly devoted himself to her memory. Upon returning home, he learned of her departure from the convent and went AWOL from his unit. He drove three hours to see her—an act that marked the beginning of a love that would last nearly 70 years.

On June 6, 1953, Rosemary married Kevin, and together they built a life full of love, faith, and devotion. As Kevin’s faithful companion and business partner, Rosemary played a pivotal role in navigating the challenges of his career as an artist. Their many moves to tourist towns throughout the Southwest became an integral part of their shared journey. Through both prosperous and lean times, Rosemary remained steadfast in her support of Kevin and their family. Along the way, they made lifelong friends through their church and Kevin’s woodcarving business.

Except for two years spent in Kansas, Rosemary lived the last 20 years of her life in Hephzibah, GA, where she and Kevin were devoted parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Waynesboro.

Rosemary was the epitome of grace, charity, and compassion. A role model of the Catholic faith, she led by example, inspiring her husband, children, and grandchildren with her deep love for God and family. The gratitude she expressed for even the smallest kindness earned her the affection and respect of all who knew her.

Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Beatrice Weseloh; her brothers, John “Jack” and Robert “Bob” Weseloh; and her beloved husband, Kevin Michael Wolff.

She is survived by her five children: Shauna (Vic) Reston, Stephen Wolff, Miriam (Peter) McCornick, Jon (Penny) Wolff, and Brendan (Bobbie Marie) Wolff. Rosemary is also survived by her grandchildren: Anjuli Boykin, Terra Sorrell, Sean McCornick, Neal Wolff, Natasha Capps, Kyle Wolff, Petra Reston, Liam Wolff, Maki McCornick, Josef Reston, Evan Wolff, Mathias Wolff, and Ambrose Wolff, as well as her great-grandchildren: Thomas Reston, Wesley Thomas, Gabriel Capps, Irene Wolff, Benjamin Capps, Spencer Weiss, Cameron Weiss, Elise Wolff, and Evelyn Capps.

A rosary will be prayed at 1:15 PM followed by a funeral Mass at 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waynesboro, GA. Burial to follow at Burke Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Fatima Center https://fatima.org or Aid to the Church in Need https://www.churchinneed.org/