Rosemary Papworth

Rosemary and her twin sister Barbara were welcomed into the world by their parents Edward and Isabella Whillier and older brother David in Tunbridge Wells England December 1946.

She had a happy childhood with her family, in a small town by the sea in Kent England, before moving back to Tunbridge Wells to finish her education. Then, continuing on to a Registered Nursing qualification and subsequently a Nursing Teaching qualification.

Then her love of travel started when she joined a group of English nurses supporting the government hospital in Lusaka Zambia. She spent much of her time in the Emergency Pediatric Department treating very sick children with malaria and other tropical diseases.

Traveling again she became a member of the nursing team at the Methodist Hospital in Dallas Texas. A mixed group of English and American nurses proved a great team and it has lead to lasting friendships with both staff and patients from that time.

When Rosemary returned to England she took qualifications for teaching nursing which lead to her position as a senior nursing officer for in service training in Colchester.

Then the 42+ years loving relationship with Allan started. Introduced through a work colleague of Allan’s and the relationship nurtured by her sister Barbara they were married in England in 1977 and honeymooned in Malaysia and Singapore.

Allan was already working in Lagos Nigeria so the new couple spent the first 2 years of their married life there. Allan working with military electronics and Rosemary as a Nurse assistant to a local doctor. More travel in Africa, then Allan took a post in Bahrain in the Middle East. As she had nurse teaching qualifications, Rosemary was able to quickly join the College of Health Sciences there, teaching pediatric nursing.

What happens next? Well children of course! Colin was born in 1982 followed by Andrew in 1984.

Whilst Allan traveled frequently for work, Rosemary stayed at home looking after the children and when they were older continued nursing in local hospitals and medical centers in Berkshire England. During this time the family fell in love with Florida, making frequent vacation trips to Central Florida, particularly New Smyrna beach, making numerous new friends from the area.

Then in 1996 Allan was offered a job transfer to his company’s head office in California. So everyone moved to Santa Clarita. The children went to junior high and high school there and Rosemary worked with special needs pupils in local schools.

Later, an opportunity arose for Allan to work in Florida. Having loved the area so much the family moved to Malabar in 2003 where we remained.

After Allan’s retirement the plan was to spend a split year between Florida and England as one son is resident in each country. But the appeal of life in Florida is so strong Allan, Rosemary and Andrew spent most of their time in Florida , when they weren't on their world travels, with Colin living in and looking after the house in England

40 years of marriage was celebrated with family and friends in 2017 with the expectation there would be many more such events.

Sadly medical problems took over and Rosemary eventually ended her wonderful life here in the Florida she loved.