Rosemary Mackey

Rosemary was born February 10, 1936 to the late John D. and Rose (Marshall) Callahan. She grew up in Dorchester, MA where she graduated from high school and attended Boston University. Rosemary then went into the travel business beginning as a reservationist in the airline industry. She then transferred to Newark Airport where she met her husband Donald.

Together they relocated back to Holbrook, Massachusetts, married and started a family. Donald’s job brought them to Old Lyme. After having her children, Rosemary returned to work as the Manager of Avis Rent-a-Car at the Groton/New London Airport, retiring after 25 years.

Rosemary was very talented and had many hobbies such as travelling, sewing, knitting and baking her famous Kahlua cake. She was also a beautiful piano player at a young age. Most of all was her love and devotion to roller skating. Rosemary was a beautiful dance skater and after cheering her daughter on for years from the sidelines she was finally convinced, at the age of 50, to compete. She consistently placed in both solo and team dance competing at regional and national levels. In 2012, Rosemary and her dance partner were awarded the Elaine Breen Meritorious award in recognition for years of unselfish service to the Northeast Region.

Rosemary also cherished her grandchildren. She along with her husband Don were on the sidelines of every sporting event and in the audience of every choral or band concert.

Rosemary is survived by her children Michael Mackey and his wife Roisin of Old Lyme, Donna Neaton and her husband Irving Miller of Niantic and Judy Mackey of Groton; her brother Jack Callahan of Attleboro, MA; grandchildren David (Renata), Michael (Kate) and Robert (Priscilla) Neaton; Brian (Shayne), Laura and Maeve Mackey; great grandchildren Lucas and Isabel Neaton.

The family is especially grateful to Marylin Williams who gave Mom the absolute best care making sure Mom was comfortable and looking beautiful every day. The bond between them was strong, loving and unbreakable. Mary literally never left Mom’s side over the past 3 years. Mary wasn’t just Mom’s caregiver she became part of our family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 5th at 11:00am at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. Burial will follow at Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme.