Shirley Gladys Roseman

“Shirley” Gladys Bortner Roseman, 89, died February 2, 2012. She was the widow of Fred Sylvester Roseman, Jr., whom she married September 15, 1945 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Mrs. Roseman was born December 20, 1922 in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania to Laurel Victor and Beulah Grace Gerbrick Bortner. Grace Lenore Abel was employed as a nanny - housekeeper in 1928 upon the death of her mother. Miss Abel nurtured Shirley, her brother, sister, and their children until Miss Abel’s death at age 92. Shirley was a 1941 graduate of Glen Rock High School and a 1944 graduate of Catawba College. She did post- graduate studies at UNC, West Chester State University, Guadalajara University in Guadalajara, Mexico and the University of the Andes in Bogota, Columbia. Mrs. Roseman was a linguist, having been employed by the US government with top security status in the ASA and CIA branches of the Pentagon using Portuguese, French, and German to translate intercepted enemy messages. After moving to Salisbury, she taught Latin, Spanish, and World History at Erwin junior high, Davie, Mooresville, and North Rowan high schools for 30 years. Mrs. Roseman enjoyed traveling in four continents, especially Europe and South America, using her language skills and submerging herself in the cultures of the countries. Shirley was a professional member of NEA, NCAE, AATSP, and AAUW. She enjoyed active membership with the Salisbury Women’s Club, Historic Salisbury Society as a Hall House and West Square guide, American Cancer Society Board, Senior Chorus, Enon Club, and the Extension Homemakers teaching food and sewing classes to children and adults. Music was a very meaningful part of her life. She played the organ for her church during her high school years and substituted as an organist at St. John’s Lutheran Church during her student years at Catawba College. Shirley had an organ in her own home. Mrs. Roseman was a sponsor for the Christian Children’s Fund, supporting children in the United States and abroad. She continued a written correspondence with the children for many years and visited girls in Mexico, Honduras and Columbia. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Yolanda and Lindsay Reavis of Virginia Beach, VA., son and daughter-in-law Phillip and Linda Roseman of Salisbury, grandchildren Dr. Kevin and wife Kelly Reavis of Portland, Oregon, Dr. Stephanie and husband Dr. Steve Spanos of Salt Lake City, Utah, Christopher, Chase, and Craig Roseman of Salisbury, and great granddaughter Marin of Salt Lake. She is also survived by twenty-two treasured nieces and nephews, brother-in-law Robert Roseman, sister-in-law Emily Geiger, and cousins Charles Simpson and Floyd Kollar. A memorial service will be conducted at Summersett Funeral Home March 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. by Reverend David Nelson of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Internment will be in the Roseman family section of City Memorial Park. A reception will follow. Memorials may be given to Nazareth Children’s Home, 725 Crescent Road, P.O. Box 1438, Rockwell, N.C. 28138 or the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, PO Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, N.C., 28450.

Shirley Gladys Roseman

December 20, 1922 - February 2, 2012