“I know now that we never get over great losses; we absorb them, and they carve us into different, often kinder, creatures. …We tell the story to get them back, to capture the traces of footfalls through the snow.”

— Gail Caldwell, “Let’s Take the Long Way Home”

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Rosemary “Rose” Poletski (nee Haywood) died at St. Joseph Hospital on January 21, 2018 at 11:06 a.m. in Eureka from complications following a heart attack. It was peaceful, and for that her family is grateful. She was 71 years old.

Rose was born on May 1, 1946 in Birmingham, Ala., to her parents Walter and Mary Haywood. She married Harry Poletski in 1963. They settled in Eureka where they raised their family and lived a long and fruitful life together.

Harry spent a career in the mills of the North Coast, like many others, a blue-collar man proud of his calluses and a lover of the outdoors. He taught his boys that same respect for hard work and hunting.

Rosemary, his long beloved, spent her career feeding children in an area school district. It was the perfect way to make a living for a woman who was legendary in her love for family.

To describe Rosemary is to describe her love of family. Of course, a special place was reserved in her heart always for her children, Travis, Tammy and Todd; as well as her granddaughters Trista and Trayci, who really were the light of her life in so many ways, great and small; as were her step-grandkids, Josh and Sabrina Barry. Most recently, her sweet darling great grandbaby Anjelica, had brought renewed promise to her world and offered Rosemary a new well into which she could pour her endless affections.

In addition to her immediate family members, Rose always had time, loving words, and affection for the dozens of cousins and scores of nieces and nephews spread all over Humboldt County and beyond. She was never too far removed from anyone to offer love and support, a sweet hug and a kind word.

She loved to laugh, and play bingo, and her sweet smile could transform the room. Even when she hadn’t seen someone for years, she could say a few words and make them feel like the center of the world. It was her special talent. One of many.

No matter the circumstance, she’d always claim she was just fine. Everyone else was unfailingly her first concern.

She was born into a family with five siblings, and married into a family of ten. She felt happier the more family she had around.

Rosemary Poletski is survived by her son Travis and daughter-in-law Tina, and their two daughters, Trayci and Trista; as well as her great granddaughter Anjelica; her daughter Tammy Barry and her husband Dave; their children Josh and Sabrina Barry; and her son Todd Poletski. She is also survived by her siblings Nancy Jones of Texas, and her husband John Paul; Walter Haywood, and his wife Barbara; and Bobby Haywood

She is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 40 years, Harry Poletski, her parents Walter and Mary Haywood; her father-in-law Chester Poletski; mother-in-law Connie Poletski; her sister Waletta Barnett; and her infant brother Alton Paul Haywood.

A celebration of life event will be held for Rose on March 17, starting at noon at Bethel Church, the Lifehouse, 2734 Hubbard Lane, Eureka CA, 95501. Call 826-0621 for more information.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a diabetes charity of your choice. This is a potluck celebration. Bring food and your good spirits — We aim to celebrate the life and love of Rosemary Poletski.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Rose Poletski’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.