Rosemarie (Piroh) Abric, 74, of Newtown, passed away on January 15, 2022, with her son by her side after a valiant fight with cancer.

Rosemarie was born on December 19, 1948, in Bridgeport, Conn. She was the daughter of Joseph Piroh and Martha (Svihra) Piroh and had four sisters, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Susan. Rosemarie graduated from Bunnell High School in Stratford in 1966.

Not long after graduating, Rosemarie met a handsome Navy man, Robert “Bob” Abric, at Briarwood Farms Ice Cream Shop in Bridgeport, Conn. The two were soon married and had two sons, Robert and Michael. After residing in Stratford, Conn., for a few years, they eventually decided to move their family to Newtown, where Rosemarie lived out the remaining years of her life.

Once in Newtown, Rosemarie’s journey soon took on a caregiver role when her beloved husband, Bob, was diagnosed with lupus. After a long battle and with his loving wife and family by his side, he unfortunately lost his fight in 1991.

Rosemarie was now raising her two sons alone and her resourcefulness led her to begin the search for employment. She soon found a position as the assistant secretary to the warden at Garner Correctional Facility in Newtown, where she met many lifelong friends. Rosemarie was always known to have a smile on her face and would retire from Garner after 25 years of service.

Rosemarie was a devout member of St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown and enjoyed planting and gardening throughout her lifetime. Rosemarie was an animal lover as was evident with all the dogs and cats she took into her home throughout the years. She also loved to spend time with her family and friends and could always be heard laughing at a good joke.

Rosemarie was predeceased by her husband, Robert Abric, and her youngest son, Michael, as well as her sisters, Barbara Piroh and Susan Mino.

She is survived by her son, Robert Abric, of Colorado; her two sisters, Patricia Piroh of Milford, Conn., and Carol Sequin of Seymour, Conn.; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her three cats.

Rosemarie touched the hearts of many people throughout her life. This was resoundingly obvious by the support and care of numerous family members and friends, including Ethel Meadows and her beloved neighbor, Andrea Farley, who spent countless hours aiding in Rosemarie’s care during her final months. Rosemarie’s son and the rest of her family are beyond grateful and touched by this outpouring of support.

Calling hours were held on Friday, January 21, from 4 to 7 pm at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church on Saturday, January 22. Interment followed at Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org; Lupus Foundation of America, lupus.org; Vietnam Veterans of America, vva.org; or Newtown Parent Connection, ctparentconnection.org.