Rosemary Greig

June 21, 1921 – February 20, 2022

Anthony and Rose Plank started their loving family with Rosemary, their first of six children, born at Altoona Hospital.

Rosemary attended Cathedral School and Altoona High School. Upon high school graduation in 1939, Rosemary decided to pursue a career in nursing, and completed nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Altoona.

She went to California to visit a friend. She loved California and decided to stay. She worked at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, and knew Alta Bates, the woman who founded the hospital. Rosemary also worked at other small hospitals in the area as a relief nurse.

A colleague at Alta Bates suggested that Rosemary apply for work at the University of California, Berkeley Student Health Service, Cowell Memorial Hospital. Surgery nursing became her career. Rosemary loved the doctors, nurses and students. She made many friends through work. She retired from Cowell in 1994, and was the last person to lock up the building before it was converted into the HAAS School of Business at D.C. Berkeley.

It was in Berkeley that Rosemary met the love of her life, and future husband, Stanley Orrin Greig (Jan. 12, 1924 — Dec. 28, 2013). Stan was away in the Navy when Rosemary rented a room from Stan’s parents. When he returned home, it was love at first sight. Stan and Rosemary were married at St. Augustine’s Church in Berkeley on April 13, 1952. They settled in Oakland, Calif., and raised six children.

Rosemary also met her dearest lifetime friend, Agnes (Philpott) Ollerdessen, while working in Berkeley. Their daughters, Rosemary and Elaine, were born 11 days apart and also became lifetime friends.

Stan and Rosemary loved the Sierras and the small cabin that Stan’s family built at Lake Alpine in the 1930s. They took their children to the cabin as much as possible. Rosemary also made annual trips with her young children on the train to visit her parents, siblings and 22 nieces and nephews in her hometown of Altoona.

Stan and Rosemary taught their children a love of nature and music.

Rosemary had five siblings: Richard (Maxine), Margaret Miller (Frank), Elizabeth Shea (Dennis), William (Dorothy) and Kathleen Charlton.

She is survived by six children: Rosemary West (Eric), Kathleen, Robert, Richard (Enriquetta), Kristine and Elizabeth Sham; 10 grandchildren: Anthony, Molly (Connor), Christopher, Randi Stephanie (Aug. 29, 1988 — April 23, 2004), Robert Jr., Britton, Brandon, Richard Jr., Emily and Charles; and great-grandchildren: Bobby, Natalie and Avery.

Wife, Mom, Sister, Grandma and Friend; you will always be in our hearts.

Friends will be received from 3 until the 4 p.m. Funeral Service Outside of Mass; and from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home, Altoona, with Monsignor Stanley B. Carson celebrant.

Committal Rites will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.

Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home, Altoona.