Obituaries
Rosemary Godek
April 14, 1944 - November 22, 2023
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VISITATION
November 30, 2023 | 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. -
Yurs Funeral Home
1771 W. State Street
Geneva, Illinois 60134 - Funeral
- December 1, 2023 | 10:30 A.M.
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St. Patrick Catholic Church
6N491 Crane Road
St. Charles, Illinois 60175 -
Burial Location
Burial will be held privately by her immediate family.
Rosemary Godek (nee Seghi) passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the age of 79. She was surrounded in love by her children and grandchildren, just as she envisioned.
Rose was born in April 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, the third of five siblings, to her beloved mother Frances (nee Walz) and father Walter (Chick) Seghi. True to her role as the middle child, Rose was a supportive friend to her older brother and sister, and a caretaker to her younger two brothers – happily accepting blame, on more than one occasion, to protect them from getting in trouble.
Throughout her career, Rose was well-respected for her exemplary work ethic, and for the way she valued building genuine relationships with everyone she worked with. Her work as a legal secretary on Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U. S. 478 (1964), shaped her sense of independence, her belief in all things right and just, and her confidence as a woman in the workforce. During her 40+ years in the residential homebuilding industry, she helped launch and grow many successful businesses through relationship-focused partnerships and took great pleasure in nurturing and mentoring countless team members. At retirement, she was an esteemed industry expert and award-winning Director of Marketing and Merchandising, with well over 100 communities launched under her direction. But more important than any accolade she received, or grand opening she orchestrated, everyone who had the pleasure of working with Rose knew – and felt — she always put people first, and her whole heart into every project.
Rose’s favorite sayings were, “It all starts at home,” and “I never say ‘no’ to an adventure.” She lived a life of no regrets, of putting family first – always – and finding the positive in every situation. Rose’s heart had room for everyone she knew, and she loved everyone unconditionally and unapologetically. She had a unique way of making everyone feel included, understood and valued. She was generous with her time, her resources, her positive spirit, and her uncanny ability of saying exactly the right thing, just when you needed to hear it. And she really, really loved to dance.
Rose enjoyed traveling and made sure she brought everyone along for the ride. Her adventures spanned from the simplest daytrip to her favorite apple orchard, to her annual Michigan vacations, to month-long cross-country road trips, to European cruises – always including friends and family as her travel companions. Her experiences ranged from parasailing in Mexico and riding a mule down a hillside in Santorini, to skinny-dipping in Lake Superior and sitting in the front row of every rollercoaster at Disney World. She lived life to the fullest and always encouraged everyone else to do the same.
Rose was the dedicated, generous, and loving mother of Aimee (Joe) Babcock and Mike (Julie) Godek. Additionally, she leaves behind the true joys of her life, her four grandchildren whom she loved beyond measure: Joey Babcock, Madeline Babcock, Michael Godek and Abigail Godek. Her example will live on through them and has left an indelible handprint on their hearts.
Rose was preceded in death by her beloved mother and father, her brothers Tom (Laya) Seghi and Michael (Fran) Seghi, and her cousin Rita Musatto. She leaves behind two additional siblings, Carol (nee Seghi) Voss and Mark (Donna) Seghi, her dearest friends Marilyn (Steve) Magafas and Beth Reuter, and numerous other friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, and their respective children.
A visitation for Rosemary (Seghi) Godek will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 W. State Street, Geneva, IL 60134. A Mass of Remembrance will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles, IL 60174. Rose’s immediate family will hold a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rose’s name can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities at rmhc.org, an organization which provides comfort, care, temporary housing ,and support for families with children in need of medical attention. For more information, please call (630) 232-7337 or visit yursfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/geneva/rosemary-godek/, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
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Condolences
Tammy Wywialowski (Albright) from Hendersonville , NC
"Words cannot express the sadness I feel with the passing of Rose. Her generosity, kindness and ability to laugh will always be remembered. I would not have the career in real estate that I have now without Rose. I will always remember sitting in Chili’s with Rose and Liz as they convinced me to join them at Concord to build a fabulous new company. That is and will always be the best group of people I have ever worked with, becoming an extended family to all of us with Rose being the momma Bear. Aimee and Mike, I am so very sorry for your loss. There are truly no words to describe just how special your mom was. Many prayers as much love to you during this difficult time."
Kenneth Jay Riha from Naples, FL
"I am so sorry to hear Rose passed away. She was a wonderful person. I, along with all the people that had worked with her, felt she was the best and she was. My sincere condolences to her family. She will definitely be missed."
Mary Corbett from Scottsdale , AZ
"My deepest sympathies on the passing of Rose. To say she was an incredible woman would be an understatement. I had the pleasure of working with Rose for decades. Her determination, humor and kindness will always be remembered. Roses love for life and adventure will live on with her children and grandchildren. RIP dear Rose. Thank you for the gift of “you” ❤️"
from ,
"Rose was loved by all she touched. She will be deeply missed."
ShopCore Marketing Team from Chicago, IL
"We are so sorry for the loss of Rosemary. While we did not have the pleasure of meeting her, we know through Aimee that she was a loving, nurturing matriarch who was the light of the room. Please know that everyone on the Marketing team, from coast to coast, is thinking of your family and sending our love."
Kathy Granzberg from Farmers Branch, TX
"I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Rose. She was a beautiful person inside and out with a smile that made every day brighter. Rose will be dearly missed by so many wonderful people. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during the time.Love, Kathy"
Abby Nagler from Hollywood, FL
"While I didn’t see Aunt Rose all to often, she always made sure to have us in her mind. My cousins and I would look forward every year to Aunt Rose’s Chanukah gift. Every year she made sure to send each of us a gift with a heartfelt note. Whenever she did make her way down to Florida, she was always the most joyous person in the room and acted as if she just saw you yesterday. Aunt Rose, you will definitely be missed. ❤️"
Daniel & Samantha Seghi from Fort Lauderdale, FL
"We are so sad to say goodbye to our dear Aunt Rosemary. She was full of life and love for her family, bringing joy wherever she went. Always thoughtful and considerate, Rose was a very special person who touched many lives. We have many great memories of her over the years but will especially remember the good times with her at Lake Hillsboro. Her legacy lives on with her beautiful family, children Mike, Aimee, Joe, and Julie & grandchildren she will live on for many years to come. We will always remember her with gratitude for the joy and kindness she brought us. Sending our love to everyone in the family and our deepest condolences. We love Rosemary so much and will miss her dearly."
Molly Seghi from Hollywood, FL
"We are devastated over the loss of Aunt Rose. She is such a kind soul who touched everyone she met. Even from afar, she would leave an impact. Aunt Rose constantly put thought about others before herself. For as long as I can remember, Aunt Rose would send Chanukah gifts to my five cousins and I every year and it was always the gift we looked forward to most. We miss her so much but we are happy she is watching over us now with Grandpa."
from ,
"I had the pleasure of spending many girl luncheons and social get-togethers with Rose, thanks to our mutual friend Marilyn Magafas. Rose always kept us girls laughing and was a joy to be around. I share my deepest condolences with her family, she will truly be missed. I treasure the fond memories of times spent with Rose. I pray that your memories of Rose will provide comfort and peace for all of you."
Laya Firestone Seghi from Hollywood, FL
"Dear Rose, You were the glue that bonded everyone in the Seghi-Voss,Godek-Babcock family with kindness and care. Your effervescent personality made any occasion we spent with you a time of joy and laughter. Thank you for always keeping your brother Tom and his family in mind, even though we were far from the family headquarters in Chicago. You were a model mother, sister, grandMom, aunt, and friend. Thanks for the light that you kept shining on all of us. We love you and will never forget you."