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Rosemary Macpherson Pittis |
I first met Rosemary shortly after moving to Plainfield in 1983 upon visiting Grace Episcopal Church at the invitation of the late Chris Larew.
Rosemary sang in the choir, which regularly performed the Anglican service repertoire (with which I was not familiar). Grace Church was then what was known as a "Morning Prayer" parish, which meant lots of psalms and canticles performed by the choir every Sunday. Very demanding.
Her husband Al was in constant attendance and I soon enjoyed chatting with them both at coffee hour after services.
As I settled in and began to check out more Plainfield activities, I found that Rosemary belonged to the period music group Ars Musica Antiqua led by the late Walter and Jane Kantor (and including famed keyboardist Vicky Griswold).
Rosemary's voice was not large, but her bell-like tone and crisp diction (she was Scottish after all) made her performances enchanting.
However, her talents did not stop there. She was also an accomplished player of the Celtic harp and in great demand as a performer on that instrument.
I was also seduced by the burr of her Scottish accent, which she never lost.
She told me of her childhood in Clydebank, Scotland, and the German bombing of that shipbuilding center in the early days of WWII which mostly destroyed the town and inflicted the most casualties suffered by Scotland in the war.
Another point of contact was that my stepmother's family immigrated from the Scottish region of Ayrshire in the 1920s.
She was greatly amused when I asked if she was familiar with the "Wee Kirk", a breakoff group from the established Scottish Presbyterian Church. And, her eyes twinkling, she asked with great mirth -- and rolling her R's -- if I knew about the "Wee Wee Kirk", an even smaller group.
When I got involved in real estate in the mid 1980s, I often referred clients to the law firm of King King & Goldsack where Rosemary was the younger Victor King's (Ned) secretary.
She was always a delight to work with and I am sure contributed greatly to Ned's success.
One thing I hadn't expected (foolish me for making assumptions about Episcopalians) was Rosemary and Al's love of and skill at ballroom dancing.
I will never forget their dancing at a WWII-themed dance at the old Armory on 7th Street. Folks wore vintage attire and Rosemary and Al were on the floor for practically every dance and were envy of all.
Rosemary Macpherson Pittis, you brightened many lives and we shall miss you greatly.
I hope the heavenly host find room for a Celtic harpist in the celestial band!
My deepest condolences to Al and their daughters Carolyn and Melinda.
Visitation will be this Wednesday (August 28) from 4-7 PM at Memorial Funeral Home on South Avenue in Fanwood.
The funeral service will be 11 AM Thursday (August 29) at Grace Episcopal Church, Mother Joyce Scheyer presiding. Grace Church is at East 7th Street and Cleveland Avenue. Parking available in the public lot across from the church.
The family invites all to a luncheon following the service at the Stage House Inn in Scotch Plains.
You can view the online obituary here.
The family suggests Rosemary's favorite organizations for those wishing to make a memorial contribution: the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, Planned Parenthood, Grace Episcopal Church or the Center for Hope Hospice.
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