Rosemary Helen (Gatchell) Galvin was warmly welcomed into Heaven by Jesus on December 19, 2022. Minutes shy of her 80th birthday, she passed away peacefully in her beloved hometown of Ridgecrest – where she was loved by so many. ‘Rose’, as many knew her, will be missed beyond measure; her impact on those that had the pleasure of knowing her will live on forever.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio on December 20, 1942, to Rita (Shoaff) and Roy Gatchell, Rose was the oldest of three children. At the young age of 3, the Gatchell family packed up and moved to the desert community of Ridgecrest on January 17, 1946. She often recalled her father Roy stating, “Don’t unpack – we’re not staying!” The opposite proved true, however, as the Shoaff and Gatchell families became a cornerstone of the small-town community and greatly contributed to its growth. Rosemary would spend the next 75+ plus years – excluding a brief time spent in Cherokee, Iowa – raising her own family with her loving husband, Larry Galvin. Married on August 9, 1970, Rose and Larry enjoyed all that the Eastern Sierra Valley had to offer for the majority of their lives: from summer camping trips to June Mountain to weekend trips over to Laughlin. Rose loved Ridgecrest’s hometown feel, with all the wonderful people she encountered and had the pleasure to call ‘a friend’.
Graduating from Sherman E. Burroughs High School’s Class of 1960, she was part of the first class to graduate from the high school at its present-day location. She began helping her mother Rita at the Drawing Room Cafe from a young age, until its closure in July 1997. The Drawing Room (formally Shoaff’s Café) was built by her uncle, Sherm Shoaff, in the early 1940s, and was one of Ridgecrest’s original restaurants serving four generations of loyal customers. Rose became an Avon representative in the early 1970s and continued doing so until her passing. Her hard work and natural relationship-building skills earned her well-deserved accolades and awards from the company throughout her career. Still, communicating with her beloved customers for over 50 years was a great source of her joy as many of them transformed into lifelong friendships. Her impact on the community is felt by so many, particularly through her volunteerism and involvement with the church that she so cherished. What made Rose such a source of light for others was her energy, enthusiasm, and kindness with which she approached the world.
Many who knew Rosemary could attest to her unquenchable thirst for travel, sailing on cruises around the world, and the thrill of pulling that slot machine handle! One never had to invite Rose twice and her suitcase was always packed. Rosemary loved life, her family, and all the people around her. She loved talking with her sister and best friend, Janet, on the phone daily and all the adventures the two shared. She loved watching the joy on people’s faces when she would present them with a gift and, most notably, would rather give a gift – than get one. That act alone shows exactly what kind of woman she was – a genuine soul that will never be forgotten.
Rosemary is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Larry Galvin of Ridgecrest, her two daughters, Julie (Jerry) Coles of Minden, NV, and Jennifer Curtis of Ridgecrest, and son-in-law, Robert Fella of Churchville, MD. Her eight grandchildren: Steven (Alexandra) Adams, Joseph (Ashley) Adams, Gregory (Stephanie) Adams, Holiday Coles, JC Coles, Allison (Steve) Harasti, Emily Curtis, and Kyle Curtis along with 7 great-grandchildren: Moana, Orion, Everest, Alexis, Joseph, Quinn, and Declan. Sister Janet (James) Sheppard of Lincoln, CA, brother Ronald (Kathy) Gatchell of Ridgecrest, sister-in-law Janna (Vernon) Sitzmann, and brother-in-law Tim (Mary) Galvin of LeMars, IA. Along with aunt and uncle, Carol and Paul Gatchell, nieces Barbara Menet and Regina Gatchell, numerous cousins including Mariellen (Shoaff) Sparrow, countless lifelong friends, loyal customers, and an incalculable number of acquaintances.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Rita & Roy Gatchell of Ridgecrest, her first husband Sterling McCaughan of Olancha, CA, her eldest daughter Annette Fella of Churchville, MD, and her son-in-law Kelly Curtis of Ridgecrest who all welcomed her with open arms upon her arrival.
A memorial mass and celebration reception honoring Rosemary will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Ann’s Parish in Ridgecrest. The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and kind thoughts. It truly has been overwhelming and very much appreciated.