Rose Marie (Bates) Lovejoy (1929 - 2022)

Born 31 Mar 1929 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Newell Curtis Lovejoy — married 30 Jul 1949 in Winnebago, Illinois, USA

Died 15 Jan 2022 at age 92 in Rockton, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Rose was born 31 Mar 1929 in Rockford, IL.^[1][2] She was the youngest daughter of Carl and Vera (Carpenter) Bates.^[3]

Rose graduated from Hononegah High School and Northern Illinois State Teachers College (DeKalb).

During the wartime manpower shortage, she started traveling throughout Winnebago County on a detasseling crew for DeKalb Hybrid Seed Corn, working at area farms. She was a longtime waitress at the Wagon Wheel.

Rose married Newell Curtis Lovejoy on July 30, 1949,^[4] at Roscoe United Methodist Church. The couple would go on to have five children, four daughters and a son, during their 51 year marriage.^[3]

She had a big heart focused on her children as a supportive mother, dutiful daughter to her parents' care, wife, being an outstanding grandmother, a generous neighbor and friend.

Rose's other passions were volunteering for her community of Rockton. She was involved in 21 years of service to the Rockton Grade School PTA, 4-H, and Scouts. She was a member of the Rockton United Methodist Church with her favorite role as "the roller" for the Fried Cake Ladies, active in Fidelis Circle, Rockton United Methodist Women, and the Memorial Committee. She was also involved with the Rockton Historical Society, Greater Rockton Centre, and major community events.

Among her biggest fans was her big brother Charles who wrote, "During March 1993, President William Clinton announced the next Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court must have a "big heart." If that were the only criteria, Rose Mary (Bates) Lovejoy would be the top contender."^[3]

Rose Mary passed away peacefully on 15 Jan 2022^[1] with her daughters at her bedside at North Pointe Terrace. Were it not for a world-wide pandemic the entire town of Rockton may have turned out for her funeral service. She was laid to rest next to her husband, Newell, at Roscoe Cemetery.^[1]

This biography was pieced together from an obituary published by the McCorkle Funeral Home of Rockford, with facts confirmed where indicated.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236029788/rose-marie-lovejoy: accessed 26 September 2022), memorial page for Rose Marie Bates Lovejoy (31 Mar 1929–15 Jan 2022), Find a Grave Memorial ID 236029788, citing Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Dean McMakin (contributor 46804161)
2. ↑ Winnebago County, Illinois, U.S., Births, 1857-1937
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} The Bates Centennial Farm of Rockton, Illinois, (1857-1990s), Antecedents-Stewards-Offshoots, by Charles Carpenter Bates PH.D., published 1993 by Corn Field Press of Rockton, IL.
4. ↑ Winnebago County, Illinois, U.S., Marriages, 1836-1962