Obituary of Rosemary A. Jez

Rosemary A. Gajewski-Gardner Jez Rosemary A. Gajewski-Gardner Jez, age 81, of Erie and Port St. Lucie, FL, passed away peacefully of congestive heart failure on Thursday, July 1, 2021. She was born in Erie on April 30, 1940, to the late Anthony J. Gajewski and Genevieve G. Kulig-Gajewski. Rosemary, or Roza, as her beloved husband called her, was a pillar of strength in her family and community. Anyone who met her, loved her. Her kindness, empathy, and generosity of self was unmatched, and one could even think of her as a “true angel”, as her husband did after first meeting her. Much to his surprise, she collected angels. She loved to play cards, cook/bake, crochet, and she was always feeding someone. Her smile was beautiful and infectious and one couldn’t leave her without having felt her warmth and compassion, and feeling incredibly loved. Rosemary was a Patient Account Representative with Metro Health Center (formerly Doctor’s Osteopathic Hospital). She retired in 1992 after many years of dedicated service. While employed, she was continually recognized by her peers; receiving multiple humanitarian awards for her volunteer work with the elderly and her assistance with many hospital committees and promotions. Prior to this, she worked for the Boy Scouts of America and had graduated from East H.S. in 1958. Rosemary and her husband, Robert, attended First Alliance Church in Erie and Holy Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie and for many years she and Bob belonged to the YMCA of Erie. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law; George Bunce and Lawrence Cox both of Erie. She is survived by and will be missed greatly by her husband of 30 years, Robert A. Jez, her six children: Kenneth Gardner of Erie, Lynne McDermott of Summerville, SC, Carol Jakubowski (Joseph) of Erie and Claudine Sloppy (Daniel) of Erie, Susan Gardner of St. Petersburg, FL, and Lloyd Gardner of Hollidaysburg, PA, stepdaughter; Stefanie Mando (Richard) of Erie, her grandchildren: Brain Gardner (Janelle), Justin McDermott, Nicholas and Danielle Gardner, Zachary and Marissa Staaf, Genevieve Gardner, Aidan, Derek, and Marla Sloppy, her great-grandchildren: Jordan Pope, Hannah and Hunter Gardner, Avary Gardner, and Kyla and Sabian Goldsmith, her sisters; Christine Cox and Ceal Bunce both of Erie, and other survivors include many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., when a Prayer Service will be held. Private interment.