Rosemary Heldreth

Rosemary Heldreth, of Bluefield, West Virginia, passed away on the evening of December 23, 2016. She was born on November 12, 1936 to parents Charles Cecil Tickle and Helen Vance Tickle of Bluefield, West Virginia. She attended elementary, junior and high schools in Bluefield, and later completed nursing school at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia. At the young age of 22, Rosemary left for San Francisco, California to pursue her nursing career. She married Louis Pierson Gillenwater and had two children, Mary Michèle and Vance Ward. Rosemary’s career took her to New York City, and later back to Bluefield where she also completed a B.S. degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude at Bluefield State College. She went on to hospital management administration and became Director of Marketing with Tazewell Community Hospital, where she was employed for over 20 years. She married H.M. Heldreth, Jr. in 1977 and shared a wonderful life with him until his death in 1996. Rosemary, a woman of deep faith, loved animals, riding horses, skiing, traveling the world, and was an active member in her church communities and choirs. She was beloved by all who knew her, and will be dearly remembered for her sweet kindness. Rosemary is survived by her children Dr. Michèle G. Turner of Los Angeles, California; Vance Ward Gillenwater, of Huntington Station, New York; their father Louis P. Gillenwater, of Abingdon, Virginia; step-daughter Lynn Heldreth Caudill, of Roanoke, Virginia. She was the cherished mother-in-law of Dr. Alan Todd Turner, and Raeanne Gillenwater. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren: Greyson Reece Turner, Colin Taylor Turner, Charles Evan Gillenwater, Jonah Strummer Gillenwater, Shelby Dash Gillenwater and Courtney Caudill. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Helen, and husband H.M. A private family memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers or remembrances, the family asks that donations to the Second Chance for Cats Animal Rescue in Bluefield, West Virginia be made in her honor. The family also wishes to sincerely thank the caring staff of Commonwealth Memory Care, Cedar Bluff, Virginia. Rosemary Heldreth will be forever enduring to those who loved her. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Rosemary Heldreth

November 12, 1936 - December 23, 2016