ROSEMARY BAUMBACK
Posted: January 16th, 2020
May 10, 1956 – January 7, 2020
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce Rosemary Baumback, beloved wife of Wayne Baumback, passed away in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 63 following a courageous and determined battle with brain cancer. Rosemary leaves to celebrate her legacy her daughter Nicole Baumback and son-in-law Jeff Pugh as well as her son Brett Baumback and daughter-in-law Jenelle Butler. “Nana” will forever be adored by her granddaughters, Elise and Nora Baumback. And for her role as back-up grandma, “Rose” will be fondly remembered by Emma and Rhys Pugh. Rosemary is also survived by siblings Peter Gwinner, Roberta Gwinner, Julie Munro, Daniel Gwinner and families as well as her brothers-in-law Bryan, Terry, and Ken Baumback and families. Rosemary was predeceased by her parents Freda and Robert Gwinner
and her sister Lillian Fisher. Rosemary was born and raised in Medicine Hat. She spent much of her early years attending the Salvation Army church and helping out with her parents’ catering and restaurant businesses, acquiring a tireless work-ethic and strong volunteer spirit from her immigrant family. She graduated from Medicine Hat High School in 1974 and married Wayne, her highschool sweetheart in 1976. They remained in Medicine Hat to raise their family. She worked for 24 years as an elementary school secretary for Medicine Hat School District 76, with 18 of those years at Ross Glen School. She retired in 2013, then in 2017 took the big step of moving to Edmonton to be closer to her children and grandchildren after calling Medicine Hat home for 61 years, leaving behind so many of her dearest friends. This decision proved to be simultaneously
her greatest challenge and greatest fortune in life–she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer 4 months after the move and subsequently spent the last 2 years of her life living to the fullest, loving and being loved beyond description, all while facing the grueling challenges of her
illness with grace and positivity. Rosemary will be deeply missed and affectionately remembered by all who knew and loved her. Many thanks to the staff at the Misericordia Hospital ICU for the gracious and dignified care shown to our entire family during Rosemary’s final days. A celebration of Rosemary’s life will be held from 11am-2pm on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Medalta. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider a donation to Medalta or another charity or non-profit of your choosing.
Julie, Roberta, Dan, and the rest of the Gwinner/Baumback family.
I am so sorry to hear of Rosemary’s passing. My thoughts are with you all.
Dear Wayne , Nicole and Jeff, Brett and Jenelle, Roberta and Julie,Peter and Daniel and all of the Gwinner and Baumback families,
Our hearts are broken! We are so deeply saddened to hear of dear Rose’s passing.
She was a beautiful soul and was such a bright light in all of her friend’s and family’s lives.
May all of your cherished memories of dear Rosemary be of some comfort now and always.
Thinking of all of you with sincere condolences,
Anna-Jean and Bud Olson and family
Peter and family: Please accept our heartfelt condolences., on the loss of your sister. may she fly with the Angels. Freda Elliot Bertelsen.
Wayne and family. My prayers are with you- I went to school with Rosemary- she was a wonderful happy person. She is in Glory now,
God Bless
Dear Wayne and family,
I’m so saddened to hear of Rosemary’s passing.
My heartfelt condolences to each of you.
With love and prayers,
Dar Renner
When I grow up, I want to be just like Rosemary Baumback: Quick wit, fabulous shoes and an energy for living that shares equal measures in love + “get at it girls.” Although we know she is smirking from somewhere, we are so sad to know we won’t be with her again. She was the measure, the archetype, the one they wrote about in all the songs she sang. She was “simply the best.” She was “will and determination.” She was “grace, too”. She was fantastic. She was one of our heroes and we are devastated to know that she is gone. We send our love as we share your sorrow to Wayne, Nicole, Brett and gorgeous families; our Aunt Roberta and the whole Gwinner family, our Baumbacks, our Bikos and to all those friends she cared for as family. (We are so sorry to miss the Neil Diamond sing-along in her honour—you know you have to. We hope to share a “Sweet Caroline” with you all soon.) xoxo Andra Olson, Robroy Schmidt and family
Rosemary and I were the best of friends in 1967-68. We were joined at the hip. I so loved the pajama parties we had at her house on the weekend dancing around to the music of Julie and Lillian whose room was just down the hall. Such wonderful memories. She was a force to be reckoned with, always busy. She was the only kid I knew who took the time to visit several elderly ladies who attended the Sally Ann. I attended her wedding in 1976 and spent a week with her and Wayne just before the birth if Nicole. The entire Gwinner family treated me like part of the family. Rosy will always have a place in my heart❤️