Rosemarie (Vernetti) Fry, March 29, 1937 ~ April 4, 2026 (age 89), Glen Carbon
Rosemarie Fry, 89, passed away April 4, 2026 at her residence with her daughters at her side.
Born March 29, 1937 in Benld, she was the daughter of Peter and Mary (Balent) Vernetti.
Growing up in Benld and attending high school, she was proud to be the school's Yearbook Editor, Valentine Queen, President of the Girls Athletic Association, and frequently sang at school events which included a solo performance at her high school graduation.
In 1960 in Carbondale, she met and married Ivan Read while attending school at SIU-Carbondale. She earned her teaching degree there in Elementary Education and started their family. She was proud to have been the first person in her family to graduate from college. In her 50's, she returned to school and earned a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She had been employed as an instructor and Rehabilitation Counselor for persons with special needs before retiring. Rosemarie was an avid dancer. She loved to learn and to teach. She had a fun, whimsical side and her daughters always said, "she isn't a boring mom!".
On April 19, 2000 in Belleville, she married John R. Fry, Jr. He died August 25, 2021. Surviving are two daughters, Dayle (Martin) Read of Pinedale, WY and Dr. Lory Read of Stanwood, MI; four grandchildren, Malcolm, Marianna, Abbigayle and Koren; a great grandchild, Levi; brother, Robert "Bob" Vernetti and sister, Irene Mueller; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; second husband, John; a brother, Alfred Vernetti; and sister, Carol Grzelak.
Rosemarie always used to say, "I am a survivor", having beat cancer twice as well as several other medical conditions.
She passed from life exactly as she lived, in her own way at her own time. She will be missed, but we know she is not alone, we will see her again someday.
Interment will be in Buck Road Cemetery in Glen Carbon at 10 am on Saturday, August 1.
A Celebration of Life Memorial visitation will be held from 12-3 pm following the interment at the Park Plaza, 112 S. Buchanan St. Ste. 1, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Memorials are suggested to the Benld Public Library, 308 E. Central Av, Benld, IL 62009, (www.benldlibrary.org) which she considered a source of learning in her small hometown, or planting something in your yard in her honor (she loved plants).