Rosemarie (Blankmeister) Gollenberg, 85, a Newtown resident since 1955, died at home on March 25, surrounded by her loving and caring family. She fought a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 11, 1932, the daughter of the late Clara (Grunert) and Alfred Blankmeister. She was the beloved wife of George Gollenberg.

Mrs Gollenberg grew up in Trumbull and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Bridgeport May 20, 1945. She graduated from Bassick High School in Bridgeport. She worked at Moore Tool in Bridgeport, Avco Lycoming in Stratford, and Union Carbide in Danbury. She volunteered as one of the first teacher's aids in Newtown. After leaving secretarial work, she and a friend established a successful dried soup business named Savory Fare.

Later on, she worked at Hollandia Garden Nursery in Bethel. She was an avid gardener, growing both flowers and vegetables; she generously shared with everyone. Mrs Gollenberg, once a committed Girl Scout herself, was very involved in scouting as a den mother and Girl Scout leader. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking for friends and family. She was very involved with the creation of Nunnawauk Meadows Retirement Community, serving as vice president of the original committee.

Mrs Gollenberg loved to travel, first camping throughout the United States and parts of Canada, and later on experiencing worldwide travel, visiting many countries. She had many relatives in Germany and visited them often. She spoke fluent German.

She was very involved as a charter member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown and was part of the women's guild, a quilting group for Lutheran World Relief. She also loved doing crafting work for the Annual Church Fair and was an active church choir member.

Her husband of 64 years, George; her children and their spouses, Gary and Linda, Glenn and Donna, and Gale; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren survive her. She is also survived by many relatives here in Connecticut, as well as in Germany and Italy.

The family would like to thank  Danbury Regional Hospice Homecare for their excellent care and help over the past weeks, especially Mary, Jessica, and Joanne.

Friends may call at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Friday, March 31, from 5 to 8 pm.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, April 1, at 10 am, in Christ the King Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in Newtown Village Cemetery, Elm Drive, Newtown.

Donations in memory of Mrs Gollenberg may be sent to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown CT 06470.