Surrounded by her children, Rosemary Kiel, R.N., passed away Sept. 14, 2022, after a brief illness.
Affectionately called Rosie by her family, Rosemary was born Sept. 24, 1951, in Brooklyn to William F. and Rose M. Sullivan. She grew up in Parlin and attended St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy. She went on to study nursing at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, eventually working her way up to operating room supervisor at Mid-Atlantic Eye Center. Rosie married Walter A. Kiel in 1978 and raised three children, Meghan, Evan and Brendan.
She often said that her greatest accomplishment was helping them become kind, intelligent, creative people. Funny and affectionate, Rosie made everyone around her feel good about themselves. She was adored by her husband, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. Rosie loved to travel, but her life’s greatest pleasure was spending time with her beautiful grandchildren.
Rosemary was predeceased by her beloved husband Walter, her parents, William and Rose Sullivan, her brother Robert J. Sullivan, and her nephew William F. Sullivan III. She is survived by her children, Meghan Kiel (Brian Henn), Evan Kiel (Christina), and Brendan Kiel (Shelly); by her two grandchildren, Reid and Elsa Kiel; and by another grandchild on the way who she was looking forward to meeting. She leaves behind three siblings who were her best friends, William F. Sullivan Jr. (Barbara), Mary Ellen Felice (Rod), and Margaret A. Sullivan, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Visitation was held Sept. 19 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 20 at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.
The article originally appeared in the September 29 – October 5, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
