Yellin-Rosemont Foundation

Kathleen Mary (Rosemont) Denaro was born in LaGrange, Illinois. She spent her childhood in Washington state, Michigan, Hong Kong, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Kathy moved to Lexington Park, MD in 1978 and married Joseph Denaro in 1981. They had two sons, Joseph, and Henry. Kathy studied early education and psychology at St. Mary's College of Maryland.

 

Kathleen was a gentle and generous person who, throughout her entire life, looked for opportunities to help others. Her dedication to her family and community was unwavering. While in high school in Lexington, MA, she volunteered many hours of phone work at a hotline/crisis center for troubled teens. As a young mother, she volunteered at Ridge Elementary School and also was a member of a parent group dealing with special education issues, always striving to make a difference in the lives of those around her.

 

Kathy worked at St. Mary's College Food Services for Wood Corporation, later Bon Appetit, from July 1997 to March 2020 as the Catering Supervisor and then as Garde-Manager. While at Bon Appetit, Kathy petitioned to create a Union in May of 2008 and later became the union representative for her coworkers. Over the years, Kathy opened her home and heart to many, helping them find their way through difficult times; many still call her "Mom."

 

Kathy's love for literature was a lifelong passion, with Agatha Christie holding a special place as her most cherished author. Her music appreciation was eclectic, and having a vinyl record playing in her room while growing up was a constant. Her sisters have fond memories of Kath teaching them how to do the Twist to the Beatles and the timeless classics of the 50s. Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" was her all-time favorite song; it is a tune that encapsulates her optimistic outlook on life and continues to resonate with those who know her.

 

Cooking and gardening brought her much joy, as did making jewelry, especially intricate beading, for friends and family. A coworker fondly recalls that Kathy used to make the staff matching earrings for special events at work. Throughout her life, Kathy held a special place in our hearts as the gentle, loving, nurturing, and generous big sister who always had her door open to nurture her younger siblings. She died much too young, and her death leaves a hole in our hearts.

 

Kathy leaves her much-loved younger son, Henry James Denaro; her granddaughters, Kara Denaro and Leah Ellis Denaro, her mother, JoAnn B. Rosemont; her sisters and their spouses, Constance Rosemont and Jon Greenberg of Washington, D.C.; Genevieve R. Yellin of Solomon's, MD; Samantha R. Healy and Timothy Healy of Jamestown, RI; Dawn P. Smith and Arlie Smith of Gas City, IN; and nine nieces and nephews. Her former husband, Joseph Denaro, lives in Ridge, MD.

 

She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Joseph Gerard Denaro; her father, Prof. Henry Rosemont, Jr.; her brother-in-law, Robert Yellin; and her biological mother, Mary Margaret McGinness of Pennsylvania.