Our heart breaks in confirming the death of the Chairman of our Party, Rosemarie F. Long.

Rosemarie was a happy warrior for family, for faith, and for country.  A warrior with no enemies.

A partisan who bore no ill will.  Her greatest delight was in supporting the efforts of others, especially younger people who shared her values.

Never one for grandstanding, Rose recruited, encouraged, championed and counseled so many of our most able community leaders.  Rose restored our party’s finances and championed the purchase of the first party headquarters we could call our own.

Rose’s guileless good nature gifted her with an infectious laugh with which she could always soften life’s sharp edges.  We miss that, now, when we need it most.

Lest some partisan mistake the facts, Rose was scrupulous in observing all the COVID precautions and insisted that our office do the same.  Her death, just as we begin to climb out of this nightmare, is a heavy reminder, to us all, of the painful cost of this scourge.

As a party, as a community we reach our arms around Rose’s husband, Jack, and her wonderful family.

Visitation: 4 – 7 pm, Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.

Funeral Mass: 11:30 am, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at St. Aloysius Church with Reverend Clint Honkomp, O.P. officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association.

CDC Protocol shall be followed.