Rosemarie Masey Cayouette

Rosemarie “Rosie” Cayouette, age 93, found eternal peace on Monday, October 21st, 2024. She was predeceased by her daughter, Laura Heide Cayouette, who would have celebrated her 63rd birthday on the day that Rosie joined her in Heaven.

Rosie is survived by a daughter, Cindy Macklin, who was at her side at the time of her passing. She is also survived by two sisters, Violet Robichaud and Ann Dowington, and a brother, Arthur “Skippy” Masey and his wife Glenda. Rosie loved her nieces and nephews, and delighted in the arrival of grand-nieces and nephews.

She was blessed by the continuing love of Diane Hanson and Larry Martinson, who were like children to her. She loved the children of close friends, and was especially proud of (and deeply loved) Jessica, Michael, Sarah, Jeremy, Kimberly, Kelly, Lynn, and Brittney. The ongoing love and support of the Macklin family meant the world to her. She cherished the devoted friendship of her kindred spirits, Heide Cogswell and Emma Tribble, and leaves behind a family of friends on Chincoteague Island, where she was affectionately known as “Everybody’s Mother.”

Rosie was a prolific artist who captured scenes from her childhood home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on canvas. She also painted beautiful landscapes, technically accurate tall ships, lighthouses, floral paintings, and shorebirds. She studied art under Jack Clifton of Hampton, Virginia, and is the model for his painting titled, “Solitude.” She went on to study under Jack’s student, James Warwick Jones, and enjoyed many friendships with her fellow artist students.

She was a skilled stained glass artist, creating a beautiful egret door panel and a stained glass door of a golden retriever, cat and parrot as a gift for Poquoson Veterinary Hospital. For the United States Bicentennial in 1976, Rosie wrote the manuscript and lyrics for an opera celebrating America’s independence. She loved music, singing in the choir at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hampton, performing in local theatrical productions, and singing for veterans at the Veterans Administration Center in Hampton.

Rosie was a graduate of the Victoria General School of Nursing in Halifax. She emigrated to the United States in her 20’s and worked at the Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. After moving to Virginia, she went to work as an operating room surgical nurse at Mary Immaculate Hospital, where she remained for over 43 years, retiring at the age of 86.

Rosie was the living embodiment of kindness, compassion, inspiration, generosity, resilience, and playful mischief. She encouraged all she met to chase after their dreams, and demonstrated a selfless love for others on a daily basis.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 11:00 am at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 2551 North Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.