Rosemary passed quietly in her sleep on September 20 , 2021, at Stanford Lodge Assisted Living in Plainwell, MI. Born in Vicksburg, Michigan to Gwendolyn and Wesley Cripps, “Rosie” graduated from Vicksburg High School and attended Ferris State College. She first married Jack Riddle and had three children with him – Jill, Steven and Douglas. She later married B. T. “Chick” Havey and had one child, Mitchell. Her final husband and love of her life, Hal Holtzer, pre-deceased her in 1998. Hal officially adopted Mitchell in 1963.
Her early career was spent mostly on The Mall in Kalamazoo, where she was a fashion coordinator and model for both Gilmores and Jacobson's Department Stores. Rosie loved being onstage, and back in Vicksburg she participated in annual plays put on by the Lions Club. She, Dr.Schnieder, Dr. Apell and Velda Hoehne were the biggest hams in Vicksburg for those shows on the stage of the Vicksburg High School gym. Rosemary also enjoyed her monthly meetings as a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Club, and especially enjoyed all performances. Rosie was an avid bridge player throughout her life and especially loved playing cards with Frank Sinatra music in the background.
She and Hal moved into Kalamazoo from Vicksburg in the mid-seventies. She stayed active in the Downtown Mall Association and was also busy with grandchildren Joani Rose (Riddle) Becker, Cassie Riddle, Jon Jilek, Jana (Jilek) Wolfe, Erin (Riddle) Garza, Emily Riddle, Kate (Riddle) Jones, Heidi Holtzer and Ava Holtzer. Rosie was also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren: Katie (Becker) Preston and Luke Becker; Charlette Riddle; Cece, Charlie and Catie Jane Jilek; Ellie, Kennedy and Berklee Wolfe; and Isabella, Isaac and Jacob Garza.
No services are planned at this point in time. Donations may be made to the Vicksburg Foundation.