ROCKLAND — Rosemarie Hartzell, 70, died Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born on January 3, 1952 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, she was the daughter of William and Helen Reed; she moved with her family to Rockland shortly thereafter.

Rosemarie loved spending time with her family at Christmas. She loved taking her five granddaughters camping.

Early in her career she worked at the Salad Patch in Rockland and enjoyed working with her best friend Darlene Proctor for over 50 years.

Rose loved her two dogs, Mr. Wiggles and Taco. She also loved cooking at the VFW Hall with her husband, Calvin. Together they also enjoyed doing Karaoke for over 7 years with her American Legion Family, especially “the ladies,” Nancy and Lena. She was a master sales-woman, selling raffle and 50/50 tickets. No one could get past her without buying some; whenever they saw her coming they’d instantly turn around and be on their way to get money.

She and Calvin enjoyed going on road trips, traveling to Tennessee and the Why Not Bar and Grill. Whenever they would visit, Rosemarie took her coffee brandy with her so she could have a “Maine Drink.” Another favorite pastime was sitting on her front porch with her family and best friend who passed away just 24 days before Rosemarie.

Rosemarie faced many challenging illnesses throughout her life. She had beaten breast cancer, lived with asthma and most recently beaten Covid-19. Her daughters like to say that the biggest hurdle she faced and overcame was raising and being the best mother to some “bratty kids.”

Rose was an incredibly loving woman and will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Calvin Roberts; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Eaton; Rose is survived by her beloved husband with whom she shared 15 years, Calvin Hartzell of Rockland; her daughters, Tammy Oakes, Karen Eaton and her fiancé Greg Bowden; her son, Michael Eaton all of Rockland; her grandchildren, Randi and her husband Jason, Amanda and her husband Matt, Ashley, Chantae and her husband Kevin, Megan and her husband Jesse, Alexander, Michael, and Devon; her step-son Calvin Hartzell, Jr. and his wife Amy; her siblings, Linda Knight and her husband Wesley, Edna Dean, Bobby Reed, Alvin Goodrich, Billy Reed and Gidget Nelson; as well as several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A gathering of love and remembrance will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Winslow, Holbrook, Merritt American Legion, Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Rosemarie’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.