BIRKE, Rosemarie

Mrs. Rosemarie Birke, of Guelph, passed away peacefully on November 28th, 2020 at the age of 68.
 
Rosemarie was born on September 9th, 1952 in Sheffield, England. Her parents, Margaret and John Collins, her twin brother John and sister Susan immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1962. Rosemarie was an accomplished singer of natural talents. She was a soprano with perfect pitch; her singles “Since You Don’t Want Him” and “Neverending (Love For You)” could be heard on the airwaves in Toronto in the late 1960’s.  Rosemarie loved music and her favourite artists were Patti LaBelle, Deanna Durbin and Patsy Cline. Rosemarie married the love of her life, Paul Victor Birke, in 1971 and they had three children – Scott, Linda, and Erik. As the primary caregiver, Rosemarie balanced her time between working as an executive assistant and being a loving mother to her children. Rosemarie and Paul loved to spend time in Sedona, Arizona, and especially at the White Birches in Oxtongue Lake.
 
Rosemarie will be loved and missed by her surviving husband, Paul; daughter, Linda; sons Scott and Erik; her twin brother John; her sister Susan; her nephew Jason; her cousins Linda and Jim; her step-mother Katherine and her granddaughter Stella. She is pre-deceased by her father John and mother Margaret.
 
Rosemarie was a loving woman who impacted everyone she met. She had a wisdom and compassion that is impossible to encapsulate in words. The gap that she leaves in her wake is incalculable and we will always love and miss her every day.
 
The Birke family would like to express its gratitude to the Hospice Wellington for all of their compassionate care and support during Rosemarie’s time there.
 
No services will be held for Rosemarie; her family will be holding a private ceremony in the spring. Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 519-822-0051 
 
Memorial donations to the Hospice Wellington are requested, in lieu of flowers.