Rosemary A. Kreder

Rosemary Anne Kreder (nè Melograno) passed away on May 2, 2022, at the age of 99. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 78 years, Benjamin Joseph Kreder, who died May 10, 2021 at age 100. Rosemary is survived by her daughters Christine Kreder Stoughton and Sharon Veronique Kreder, her son-in-law, Eric Hanson, her four grandchildren, Zachary Stoughton, Samantha Stoughton, Alexandra Hanson and Elizabeth Hanson, and their partners, her great-granddaughter, Mabel Hanson Greenberg, and many loving nieces and nephews.

A New Yorker by birth and at heart, Rosemary was born and raised in Queens. She was the youngest of 5 children and graduated from Flushing High in 1940. She attended the Art Student League before marrying Ben in 1942. Rosemary spent most of the war years state-side with Ben, running recreational programs at the various naval bases where he was stationed. Ben’s work with American Airlines brought them to Tulsa Oklahoma. There they raised two daughters and provided foster care for local children and adolescents before returning to live in Northport, NY, in 1966.

Her creative spirit informed all the many roles she occupied. She inspired love of the visual arts in her professional life as an art therapist and teacher. Even at the end of her life, she was sharing her love of art at Sunrise of Haverford, her assisted living facility. Beyond this she was an accomplished choir soprano, painter, and gardener, and an active participant in interdenominational organizations. An ardent Catholic and involved parishioner, Rosemary executed art work for several of the Catholic churches to which she and Ben belonged over the years. Rosemary will be remembered for her quick wit and infectious laugh, her delicious Italian cooking, her love of a good debate, and the care with which she tended all living things – her gardens, the birds, and above all, her friends and family.

A celebration of Ben and Rosemary’s lives will be held in the fall of 2022. A burial will be held on September 9th, 2022 at 12:45 pm at Massachusetts National Cemetery where Rosemary will finally reunite with her loving husband Ben. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Save the Children charity.