Obituary of Rosemary Kathleen Redlich

Rosemary Kathleen Redlich, age 95, of 144 Woodloch Springs, Hawley died Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. Mrs. Redlich was born October 14, 1927 in Defiance, OH and was the daughter of the late Willis Herman and the late Hildegard Augusta (Orthwein) Degler. She was predeceased by her husband, Edwin Theodore Redlich in 2014, a son, William Theodore Redlich in 2000, siblings, Virginia Degler Kruse and Daniel Degler. She is survived by one son: John Robert Redlich of Hawley, PA; daughter and son-in-law, Rev. Kathleen D.R. and Jeffrey Harkness of Pipersville, PA; granddaughter, Sarah Romano and her husband, Michael of MI; grandson, John Theodore Redlich and his wife, Julie of Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; grandson, Theodore Harkness and his wife, Priscilla A Ro of Fairfax, VA; drandson, Joseph Willis Redlich and his wife, Annamaria of Hauppauge, NY and many great grandchildren. The following was written by Rosemary: I was born in a red brick house on a farm in Defiance, Ohio. Childhood days were happy and free even though there was the Great Depression. Each day of the week had a particular task: Mondays were wash days, Tuesday were ironing days, etc., etc., with Saturdays set aside for going to town for groceries and visiting my Grandmother Degler. On Sundays, we went to church with Rev. Schroeder delivering "fire and brimstone" sermons. Then, it was off to visit with Mom's family at my grandmother Orthwein's house. Farm life was idyllic and full of hard work. Dad has milk cows, hogs, and sheep and Mom had the chickens. When I was little farming was done with a team of horses, "Maud and Charlie." Later, farming fields of oats, wheat, corn, soy beans, alfalfa and timothy hay were planted, tilled and harvested with a tractor and accompanying equipment. I shocked wheat, helped make hay, husked corn and milked cows, but never drove a tractor. I attended a 1-room brick school, which was almost a mile-walk away. There, at the Wirth School, I spent grades 1 through 5. The advantage was that, since I was curious, I listened in to the upper class students recite their lessons. A roving music teacher came weekly with her rhythm sand blocks, sleigh bells, sticks, etc. I always wanted to play the triangle, but never got the chance. A consolidated school district was formed incorporating the many 1-room schools into the Highland-South Richland School District, familiarly known as Ayersville, because it was located in the village of Ayersville, where the private telephone company is located. Our wall phone number was a ring of "two longs and a short." I started sixth grade there and ended up as first in the class. I graduated in 1945 and went to Defiance College with a small $100 scholarship. I worked two summers to pay for my college education and met "Ted." We were married in June 1948. Farm life took a sudden turn to suburban life in Levittown, Long Island, after Ted graduated. I commuted to New York City for over three years, as a legal secretary in the Szold and Brandwen Law firm next to the New York Stock Exchange. I had had previous experience at two law firms in Defiance until Ted graduated. Our first child, Kathleen Diane, was born in 1952, followed by William Theodore in 1953 and then, John Robert in 1955. Those were busy days with three kids in diapers (not Pampers) for a time. Wanting larger space for a growing family, we moved to the Cold Spring Harbor area of the Town of Huntington. Our children graduated from Cold Spring Harbor High School. I was a stay-at-home Mom, even though I commuted to New York City to assist Ted in his business and returned before the kids got off the bus. As Kathleen was entering Defiance College, I went to work locally as a stenographer at Supervisor Jerome A. Ambro's office in Town Hall. After he was elected Congressman, I was appointed the position of Secretary to Supervisor Kenneth C. Butterfield. In the meantime, I was organist at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church in Huntington Station. A new edifice was built and a Cassavant-Freres two rank baroque organ was installed. I was thrilled as I had served as organist there for eight years. Believing I should really finish my college education, I attended Long Island University at the C.W. Post Center in Greenvale. In 1981, I received my Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) degree. After Supervisor Butterfield served his two terms in office, I became Secretary to the Director of General Services. Later, the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals asked me to serve as their Secretary. That meant weekly late night hearings before the Board. When the Town of Huntington offered incentives to retire, it was the perfect time for me to say goodbye in 1992. Ted and I retired to Woodloch Springs and I'm happy to be back in the country again. Kathleen married Jeff Harkness. They have a son Theo who is going to East Stroudsburg University. William married Charlotte Bennett. They are both deceased. Their daughter, Sarah, now divorced, has two sons, Dylan and Dalton. John married Helen Denehan. They have two boys, John and Joseph. Kathleen has graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and is awaiting a call. John is art director of VIP Printing on Long Island. Ted and I have traveled extensively and driven through almost all of the states. We annually take a trip "back home" to visit my brother and his wife, and all the nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. I've been organist at my nieces and nephews weddings. I have many interests; e.g., crafts, sewing, knitting, crocheting, card playing, bingo, golf,etc.—but not bowling! (Maybe I should try it some day.) After "church shopping", we settled at Bethel because of its friendliness, singing and its mission statement. I served as Treasurer and am now Thriven Financial's Congregational Coordinator, President of the Women of L.I.F.E., choir director and substitute organist. I love the music and have become friends with many there.