Rosemary Shea

Madison- Rosemary Watson Shea passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23rd at HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg. She began her new journey after a very long illness and was surrounded throughout her final days by her family. She was born February 10^th, 1931 in Madison, WI. The second child of Stuart & Eldrid Watson, she spent her life first in Barneveld, and then Madison. After graduating from West High School in Madison, she attended Stevens College. She then transferred to the UW Madison, where she met her husband and lifetime partner, Robert Shea. Both were students at the University. They were married in Madison on Sept, 23^rd, 1950. She raised four sons, William, David, Robert, and Steven. Her life was devoted to her husband, her sons, and the joy of great friends and good times. She skied in her younger years, and later turned to golf as her primary recreation activity. She was an avid supporter of the youth golf program at Blackhawk Country Club. She was a founding member of Heritage Congregational Church. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; and older sister, Dorothy. She is survived by her husband Bob; her brother and sister, James Watson (Louise) and Carol Duppler (Don); and her four sons, Bill (Jill), Dave (Cheryl), Bob (Patti), and Steve (Valerie). Rose & Bob have 13 grandchildren: Kim, Heather, Ashley & Jeff (Bill & Jill) Shea; Alex & Samantha (Dave & Cheryl) Shea; Jennifer, Stephanie, Chad & Eric (Bob) Shea; and Laura, Elizabeth, & Tyler (Steve & Valerie) Shea. There are 8 Great Grandchildren, all in the Bill Shea Family and living in the Denver area: Maddie, Keigan, & Reagan Brady (Kim & Jeremy); Logan & Morgan Scheller (Heather & Eric); Austin, Ally, & Abby Shea (Jeff). Visitation will be held Sunday March 29^th from 3 -- 5 PM at Cress Funeral Home on Speedway Road in Madison. The funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30^th at 11:00 AM, at the Heritage Congregational Church, 3102 Prairie Rd, Madison. The family requests memorials be made in Rosemary's name to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 Cheryl Parkway, Madison, 53711 or the Heritage Congregational Church. Our deepest appreciation to the HospiceCare staff for the wonderful loving care they provided to Rosemary and support they gave to the family.