Rosemarie Theresa Skulrak – affectionately known as “mom”, “mother”, “oh my god! MOM!” or “Roe” – was lulled to sleep and took her last peaceful breath at her home on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She was seventy-eight years young and will forever be remembered for her sharp wit & sarcastic humor, a big and worried heart that loved unconditionally, and being a friend to all.
Born February 21st, 1947, Rosemarie was the eldest and only daughter to the late Peggy and Vincent Dolan. She spent the first ten years of her life as an army brat and lived and attended school wherever her father was stationed – places such as Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. However, she would ultimately end up calling South Philly her home once her dad retired from the military. She lived there with her younger brothers - the late William (Mary Ann) Dolan and Joseph Dolan. In addition, she was blessed by the love of a nurturing extended family that included her grandparents, the late Margaret and William Burke, and her aunt, the late Marie Burke, and her nine Gallagher cousins.
Rosemarie was a graduate of Saint Maria Goretti High School in South Philly where she graduated in 1965. She worked as a key punch operator at Aramark where her coworker, the late Sandra Skulrak introduced her to her brother, Robert Skulrak, whom she would fall in love with and marry.
In 1970, Rosemarie wed Robert “Bob” Skulrak and were happily married for 55 years living in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Together, they had five children--Karen, Jennifer, Robin, Matthew, and Brian. Through the trials and tribulations of marriage and children, they shared a love of music, laughter, and service to the community. In her later years, Rosemarie was blessed with five grandchildren: Cayleigh, Milla, Emma, Julian, and Cass; and two bonus grandchildren Nicholas and Jackson. She was surrounded with love, attention, and the company of her family. Her children and grandchildren’s eternal love and authentic dedication to her and their families are a testament to the values that Rosemarie and Bob instilled in them every day.
Rosemarie had a generous spirit and eagerness to serve her community. She lived her faith and believed in the simple credo of “You can preach a better sermon with your life, that with your words.” All strangers were welcomed as friends. All her children’s friends were welcomed and treated as her own children. Every hungry person who crossed Rosemarie’s path was fed and often sent home with a recycled Country Crock Butter container filled with leftovers. Every stray cat and dog that entered her yard found food, love, and a home with Rosemarie. If Rosemarie knew you liked something – whether it be a certain food dish or snack, she would make sure that dish was served the next time you came over and you didn’t leave her home empty handed.
Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, she was an avid volunteer with the Coatesville Parent Teacher Organization, the Girl Scouts of America, and as a CCD volunteer teacher for St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Rosemarie was proud of her work as a preschool aide at the Brandywine YMCA, as a driver for the Krapf’s Bus Company where she worked with disabled children attending the Chester County Child and Career Development Center, and as a playground aide at the Carl Benner and Caln Elementary Schools.
She was a creative person and avid shopper who loved a good sale. She handcrafted custom Cabbage Patch-like dolls in her children’s images. Rosemarie was also a gardener and enjoyed visiting her Amish neighbors to pick up seasonal plants for her and her family. Through her varied work and volunteer positions, she created a community of caring and empathy, working hard to encourage those around her to unlock and see their own potential.
Rosemarie will be remembered for her sly grin, her twinkling Irish blue eyes, her wit and humor, her intellectual curiosity, her storytelling, her love of reading, her knowledge of family history, her multi-hour phone calls with her cousin Carol, her love for her fictious boyfriend Denny Crane (from Boston Legal), and her love and empathy for everyone.
Rosemarie Skulrak was a loving and giving person and everyone that ever encountered her became her family. She will not be soon forgotten.
A celebration of Rosemarie’s life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Maclean-Chamberlain Funeral Home in Coatesville, PA. It will be at 12:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.
In memory of Rosemarie, who was a voracious reader, please send donations in her name to the Coatesville Area Public Library (https://coatesvillelibrary.org 610-384-4115) in lieu of flowers so more children can share in the gifts Rosemarie gave to her community.