She had a name. Rosemary Dye had a history. She was daughter, sister, aunt, friend. Her life took a wrong turn in recent months. She hit obstacles she couldn’t overcome before that final wrong turn in a dark Ruston tunnel ended her life. But she was valuable, loved and someone.
Rosemary was a local woman. She graduated from Stadium high school in 1975. She flew C-141’s in the Air Force Reserve. She was one of the early female pilots for UPS, working the cockpit third seat. She lived on Anderson Island. She enjoyed table games; Scrabble and the like. Her mom and brother are our neighbors here in the south sound who tried to help her overcome her recent challenges.
On Rosemary’s last day in Ruston, she stopped by the credit union to ask for directions to Ruston Way. She wasn’t supposed to walk through the car tunnel, so it appears she headed over the Winnifred Street Bridge. But she decided to take a short cut along the train tracks. It’s a busy track and she was caught in the tunnel under Stack Hill when a train came through.
The news said a nameless woman was killed on the Ruston tracks. The next day the credit union called police with a piece of the puzzle; a stranger had come in asking for directions. The surveillance tapes showed her face. Rosemary’s brother called to talk about his sister and her struggles, somehow sensing her departure. The puzzle came together to give us her name, her history, part of her story.
The news said a nameless woman was killed on the Ruston tracks. But in a small town there are no empty faces, no nameless people. Rosemary died in Ruston. We care. We know her name. May you rest in peace, Rosemary.
Rosemary was a local woman. She graduated from Stadium high school in 1975. She flew C-141’s in the Air Force Reserve. She was one of the early female pilots for UPS, working the cockpit third seat. She lived on Anderson Island. She enjoyed table games; Scrabble and the like. Her mom and brother are our neighbors here in the south sound who tried to help her overcome her recent challenges.
On Rosemary’s last day in Ruston, she stopped by the credit union to ask for directions to Ruston Way. She wasn’t supposed to walk through the car tunnel, so it appears she headed over the Winnifred Street Bridge. But she decided to take a short cut along the train tracks. It’s a busy track and she was caught in the tunnel under Stack Hill when a train came through.
The news said a nameless woman was killed on the Ruston tracks. The next day the credit union called police with a piece of the puzzle; a stranger had come in asking for directions. The surveillance tapes showed her face. Rosemary’s brother called to talk about his sister and her struggles, somehow sensing her departure. The puzzle came together to give us her name, her history, part of her story.
The news said a nameless woman was killed on the Ruston tracks. But in a small town there are no empty faces, no nameless people. Rosemary died in Ruston. We care. We know her name. May you rest in peace, Rosemary.
5 comments:
Very sad.
Karen thank you for going the extra mile to give us information on such a tragic loss. My heart goes out to Rosemary's family and friends. This woman accomplished so much during her life. I would have loved to hear her stories.
Life is so precious and unpredictable.
One of Tacoma's child of the light has passed due to losing her way.
Let her spirit fly in the heavens
I met Rosemary last year through a family friend. It was obvious that she had alcohol and drug issue. It was also obvious that despite this she was a very kind, intelligent, generous person. Rosemary or Rose as I knew her was just another victim of the tragic result of drug abuse. I hope and pray that someone will read her story and get help for themselves. I think she would want that too.
Thank you for telling us a bit about Rose. It helps to know more about her. I know many were touched by her story. I pray many are saved from a tragic end by it too.
Post a Comment