Rosemary Ellen Costello

The first moment my eyes saw Rosemary my heart jumped for joy. It was late June early July 1970. We were at Farrell's ice cream parlor. In the moment I didn't quite understand what my heart was feeling, yet there was certainly something occurring. Rosemary was working part time for the postal service, and attending Cal State Fullerton while I still had 1 year left in the USAF. It was love at first sight.

As the days passed feelings grew stronger as I realized this was no infatuation. I was in love! Fortunately I was stationed at Edwards AFB just 2 hours from home and Rosemary. I had to speak to her. After stumbling over my words and finding the courage, I asked her for a date. I had just spent a year in Vietnam, and here I am shaking in my boots like never before, praying she would say yes. My duty at Edwards was nine on three off so I was able to see my sweetheart every nine days. Over the next year and a half our love for each other grew and we were married October 21st 1972. My military service was over, and she had graduated with her Bachelor Degree from college. "We've only just begun." 

Four years later God blessed us with Melissa. What do we do? Thank goodness we could ask our parents for advice. We wanted more children, but it just wasn't in Gods plan. Rosemary continued working nights for the Postal Service for 41 years while I worked days. She felt she could be home during the day time for Melissa during her infant and growing years. People would ask why we were still together working opposite hours. We loved each other, and were able to spend weekends together as a family when we could. 

Rosemary was everything to me. She was my very life. We shared all things together. Good and bad. We were no different than any other couple. I would never change one single thing. Even the last years of her life. Her illness was in accordance with Gods will and plan. Many unanswered questions remain yet they will be answered in Gods own time. We were able to spend each day with each other of which I will be eternally grateful. They were truly miracles since I was told she would only survive 6-13 months. Our moto became Faith, Family and Friends, our support system of which gave us the needed strength to go on.

Rosemary's faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was very strong throughout her life. She lived what she believed in, not just in words, but in actions. She loved everyone she met, and all came before herself. After 12 hours of surgery I was told she was trying to order pizza from Luigi's for the nursing staff in recovery. Then she asks the nurses lf she can help as they were getting her into her bed before I was allowed to see her. She wanted to do things to show her love, and gratefulness to others. Many times we took cookies or brownies to the medical center for the many doctors and nurses we had the honor of meeting and getting to know. She even made a blanket for her oncoligist who graduated from Duke University. She wanted to bake brownies one more time for the staff at the cancer center even though she could barely hold herself up using a walker. Over the years I could walk through the hospital and many of the staff would say hello and ask how Rosemary was. She was loved by many. That was my sweetheart. Not once did she complain during her illness. She remained strong in her faith, and in her resolve to battle her cancer. She had a heart of gold that emitted the love that can only come from our Lord. Our final words to each other were I love you. I miss you my love, and I look forward to the day we are together again.