Remembering Rosemary

Dr. Rosemary Evelyn Johnson-Kurek passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 8, 2026, just days after her birthday. Our family is devastated by the loss of such a life force-a fierce combination of wit, wisdom, and joie de vivre. No stranger to adversity and illness, Rosemary met every health challenge with humor and resilience. Rosemary was devoted to her family, her loving husband Bruce, daughter Audra Kurek, son Aaron Kurek, and daughter-in-law Rachel Kurek.

Her three grandchildren, Ray, Caton, Caelen, and new arrival great grandson Asanté were the lights of her life. A natural born teacher, Rosemary, loved language and any opportunity to advance knowledge and understanding. She encouraged her grandchildren to read, read, and read more. Rosemary took pride in each of their individual talents and accomplishments.

From an early age, Rosemary embraced the beatitudes and, in her teens, volunteered for Project 65 and 66, a Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio. Her strong faith and passion for social justice were guiding principles throughout her life.

Born in Ithaca, New York on March 5, 1951, Rosemary grew up in the Clintonville neighborhood in Columbus and graduated from Immaculate Conception grade school and Bishop Watterson High school. She attended Bowling Green State University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism and Speech. After graduating from college, she worked for Craft Services on several films including The Deer Hunter. Rosemary held a master's degree in Popular Culture and a doctorate in Educational Technology with a specialty in curriculum development. A champion of women in all her endeavors, she served as the first female director for the "I Am Woman" program at Buckeye Cable. In an ironic twist that only Rosemary could master, she died on International Woman's Day.

A long-time resident of the Old West End in Toledo, Rosemary appreciated the diversity and history of the area. A gifted storyteller, Rosemary produced a documentary in collaboration with former City Councilman Peter Ujvagi, highlighting the Hungarian community in the Birmingham neighborhood.

The keeper of family history, Rosemary, loved genealogy and its links to the present. She enjoyed thrifting, gardening, writing, romance novels, rock and roll, and finding humor in difficult situations. She also loved giving visiting friends guided tours of the Toledo Museum of Art, especially its extensive glass collection.

A Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Toledo for more than 30 years, Rosemary inspired her students to think critically and develop a love of language and writing. Under her expert tutelage, many of her students won writing awards. Rosemary authored an anthology on film and co-authored academic articles about romance novels.

Rosemary was a person of quiet strength, strong convictions, compassion and kindness for others and she had an unforgettable infectious laugh. We will hold her light in our hearts and are grateful for the wonderful life she lived.

Preceded in death by her parents George and Beatrice Johnson, mother-in-law June Ulmer and father-in-law Gil Kurek, and her sister Martha Brinkman, Rosemary is survived by her immediate family as well as her sisters Jane (Gregg) Eiden of New Orleans, and Diane Jenkins (Frank) of Poinciana, Florida; nieces Lauren Benedict , Marin Murray, Kelsey Brinkman and Nicole Eiden. Rosemary will also be missed by her extended family, including many cousins, great nieces and nephews, long-time neighbors, colleagues, and lifelong friends.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, March 24 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, Ohio. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the visitation hours.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Rosary Cathedral and the Victory Center, 3166 Republic Blvd. North, Toledo, Ohio 43615.