Obituary of Rosalee Ann O'Callaghan

Rosalee was such a unique gentil soul who brought light to everyone who entered her life. Her life began in Woodstock, New Brunswick. She was raised by her grandparents Thema and Bobby Taylor, alongside her brother Richard and his wife Rayma Taylor. 
She met the love of her life in Woodstock year of 1975. James and Rosalee started their life adventure when they eloped after moving to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Rosalee Graduated high school and then started working at RBC as a bank teller, supervisor, and then as a liability officer. They then moved to the mid-west of Alberta. Rosalee and James lived in Medicine Hat and Calgary. They adventured the Rocky Mountains from Banff to Jasper with the occasional trip to Vancouver and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This is where Rosalee found her love for adventure. This brought them to California, Hawaii, of course their favorite vacation spot Daytona beach, Florida and many other places.

Eventually Rosalee had the itch to be closer to home, they then made the big move back to Mississauga Ontario to be with James’s side of the family. Little did they know that they were soon to have a family of their own. Rosalee was told that she was unable to have children due to pre cancer in the cervix. Low and behold January 9th of 1994 she gave birth to her only daughter Michelle. She was the happiest she had every been. All she ever wanted was a family of her own. Rosalee quit her position at RBC to take care of her daughter and focus on her family. This was the highlight of her life. 
Life then took Rosalee and her family to Windsor Ontario. Rosalee and James bought their first house and planted roots. The adventures didn’t stop with trips to see family in Toronto, Burlington and down south in North Carolina. Later in life around 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. That did not stop her.

Rosalee beat most odds physicians gave her. She successfully went into remission twice. After the first round of chemo was completed, she went on a well-deserved adventure to visit her daughter and son in law Kyle, in British Columbia. She was given the opportunity to relive her old adventures on the coast of Vancouver and Whistler. She battled cancer for 4.5 years. Unfortunately, early 2022 Rosalee was given a terminal diagnosis and decided to take an admission to hospice. She was able to enjoy her final 2 months of life with her loved ones around including the hospice staff, who stole her heart. She was able to fulfill all her final wishes and enjoy precious moments with family and friends. Rosalee was very open about her journey. She taught everyone how precious life is, patience, acceptance and how to love unconditionally.

 
Rosalee passed away peacefully on June 9th, 2022, surrounded by James (husband), Michelle (daughter), Kyle (son-in-law). Survived by her "adopted daughter" Sarah Stofega and her children Ava and Alaya. Dear sister of Richard Taylor (Rayma). Loving sister in-law of Kathleen O’Callaghan-Peasley (Bruce), Mary Gallagher (Jim), David O’Callaghan (Deceased) (Patricia Lim). Survived by nieces and nephews Daniel Gallagher, Erin Gallagher-Ion, Melissa Gallagher, Paul Gallagher, Liam O’Callaghan and Brandan Peasley. 
 

In honor of Rosalee, she wanted people to have an open mind when talking about passing on the other side. Death is natural and everyone deserves to die with dignity, have good experiences and make new friends along the way. Once given a terminal diagnosis hospice and hospice services are available to everyone at no cost. Rosalee wanted to be that voice for people suffering. Special thank you to Julie RPN from Met hospital who made her hospice admission a reality. Family physician Dr. Sleiman. Dr. Elfiki and all the staff at the cancer centre at Met Hospital. Every single Nurse, PSW and Volunteer at Hospice. Along with the social worker Taylor, spiritual care staff, Marcia a spiritual care volunteer for her tremendous support and compassion. Linda the manager of Hospice and Dr Bergeron and other physicians. Thank you for your outstanding care, you treat your residents with so much pride and dignity. Rosalee’s wishes are for any staff from hospice or Met Hospital who were involved in her care to join her family in the celebration of her life. 

Visiting at Windsor Chapel (Banwell Chapel) 11677 Tecumseh Road East, 519-253-7234 on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will take place on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m in the chapel. Cremation to follow. In kindness, donations to the Hospice of Windsor/Essex County would be greatly appreciated. In keeping with Rosalee's wishes, please wear purple or bright colours when visiting and at the service. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with her family at www.windsorchapel.com