If you’re about to throw away a scrap of ribbon, an empty plastic container with a lid or a letter from publisher’s clearing house: STOP. Consider Rose Mary Kopf, age 78, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 30th, surrounded by loving family.

Rose Mary (Rose to some; RoRo to others) was born January 28, 1938, in Alliance Nebraska, to Walter “Rosie” and Gladys (Brown) Brost. She was an avid collector and would never allow such a thing to occur.

Rose Mary was a 1956 graduate of Cottonwood High School. She was a longtime resident of Richland and worked at Life Care Center of Richland for nearly 20 years where she loved comforting and caring for the residents there. She truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures, like watching any sport that used a ball, with the exception of golf (sorry Rick and Walt). Her mornings were spent completing daily crossword puzzles while sipping on a couple cups of watered-down coffee. She loved chatting with family while crocheting or playing cards at her kitchen table~ always with one leg curled up underneath her. Rose Mary shared the extraordinary beauty of the human heart. She filled gallons of reused plastic containers for family and friends with her Christmas caramel corn and her special recipe of Chex mix. She saved every scrap of ribbon, yarn and material that came across her path as it always could be repurposed. Rose Mary was an accomplished seamstress and crafter who loved to supply her family and numerous charities such as Catholic Family services, the mission and several elementary schools with her handiwork of crocheted hats, baby blankets, quilts, ceramics and anything handmade with love.

In addition to her parents, Rose Mary is preceded in death by her son, Chris. She is survived by her husband Larry of nearly 60 years as well as three siblings; Walter, Rosetta and Mona. Her spirit lives on in her sons Walter (Colleen), Tim (Kristine), Scott (Jennifer) and daughter Lori (Pete) as well as seven grandkids and 3 great grandchildren whose pictures line the fireplace mantel and whose cupboards are overstocked with everything imaginable from Publisher’s Clearing House.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Christ the King Church on Monday, December 12, 10:00 am with the Memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 am and the reception following at the church. Come as you are or in true Rose Mary fashion, wear your slippers and/or favorite team jersey. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care at The Chaplaincy hospice house in Kennewick. Memorial gifts may be made there in lieu of flowers.