Obituary of Rosemary C. McKinstry

Rosemary Stroud McKinstry, the daughter of J.D. and Catharine (Canny) Stroud, was born April 16, 1931, in Ottumwa, Iowa. She graduated from the Chariton high school with the class of 1949. On April 21, 1950, Rosemary was united in marriage with Richard Clayton Owen at the Sacred Heart Church in Chariton, Iowa. To this union a daughter, Theresa Ann, was born. On March 17, 1962, Rosemary married James Edwin Shipley. To this union three children were born, Curtis James, Christine Lynn and Carrie Frances. After raising her children, Rosemary went on to receive her nursing degree from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids. She then worked as a nurse in various hospitals and clinics in both Anamosa and Newton. In 1987, she moved to Newton, Iowa, and on December 21, 1991, she married James Wilson McKinstry in Newton. Rosemary was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. She was active in the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Catholics Coming Home, and Stephen Ministry. She enjoyed reading, bird watching, gardening, dancing, and visiting. Music was an integral part of her life. She played many instruments, including the piano, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, and organ. Rosemary spent much time on her front porch swing, where she visited with friends and family, and sang On the Good Ship Lollypop to her grandchildren. Rosemary died on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at Park Centre Health Care in Newton. She was 82 years old. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Ann Hevlin, and two brothers, Rick and Jimmy. Those left to honor Rosemary’s memory include her husband, James Wilson McKinstry of Newton; her children, Theresa (Brian) Bailey of Indianola, Iowa, Curtis (Kelly) Shipley of Asheboro, North Carolina, Christine Atwood of Marion, Iowa, and Carrie (Thomas) Eck of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; many foster and adopted grandchildren; her brothers, Patrick (Pam) Stroud of Chariton, Iowa, and Joseph (Carol Jo) Stroud of Lucas, Iowa, and her sisters, Louise (Rick) Prewitt of Stroud, Oklahoma, Katherine (Dean) Pellegrino of Chariton, Iowa, and Barbara (Don) Wignall of Newton, Iowa. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the church. A public vigil service will be held at 8:00 p.m., Friday. Memorials may be designated in Rosemary’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.