Rose Mary Boteler McAleer

Ocean Pines

Rose Mary Boteler McAleer passed on to Eternal Life on Friday, April 8, 2022, at home surrounded by her children after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Rose Mary will be fondly remembered, not as a celebrity on the movie screen, although she had the beauty of a screen idol, but for her selfless giving of her time and talents with her family, friends and church community.

She was a lector extraordinaire at Sunday Masses and many other church services at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines, as well as maintaining the church library.

As a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, her volunteering at Atlantic General Hospital and at Joseph House with the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, it was a wonder that she kept so busy, but never missed writing thank you notes, letters and all those birthday cards, some of which were home made with her artful talent.

Rose Mary was lay Carmelite and lived her life with a strong Catholic faith, alongside her husband, “Jack,” of 60 years rearing and educating a large close-knit family.

Born in Washington, D.C., on March 1, 1929 to Bernard Lamar and Kathrine Rose Boteler, the eldest of three in a home of faith, hard work and love during the Depression.

Rose Mary graduated in 1947 from St. Anthony Catholic School in N.E., growing up on Shepherd Street in Brookland. Rose Mary was athletic and could be found playing tennis on the courts at Turkey Thicket with the Franciscan Brothers.

She married Jack in 1949 and moved to Wheaton, Maryland, to raise their family.

St. Catherine Laboure was the family parish, school and hub of activities from the fifties through the eighties.

Rose Mary was active with many of her children’s activities at school and served as Prefect of the Sodality.

In 1989, they move to Ocean Pines, Maryland, brought her much joy, loving the sunshine and the ocean, as well as her natural yard-scape and habitat.

Rose Mary was predeceased by her parents, Bernard L. and Kathrine; her husband, John (Jack) H. McAleer; infant daughter, Bernadette Marie McAleer; brother, Bernard Boteler; and step-mother, Alma Boteler.

Rose Mary is survived by her children, John Kevin, Thomas Michael (Kathy), Patrick Bernard (Sally), Janet Marie Bradford (Alan), Andrew Joseph (Barbara), James Arthur, Robert Francis (Kathy), Michael Anthony, Stephen Jerome (Beverly) and Kathleen Marie Lorance (Keith); her brother, John Stanton Boteler; brother, Robert Eugene Boteler (Mary); sister, Mary Elizabeth DeMattia (Anthony); 32 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Arrangements: Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 11 a.m. Christian Mass St. John Neumann, Berlin, Maryland;  Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Viewing, Memorial Mass, 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Norbeck, Maryland. Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery following Mass.

Donations can be made in Rose Mary’s name to The Joseph House, The Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary https://thejosephhouse.org/the-little-sisters/, or 401 N. Poplar Hill Ave., Salisbury, Maryland 21801.