Rosemary Lee (Brenner) Garrett, age 74, of Rockwall, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026 surrounded by her husband of 52 years and her loving family, after a lengthy battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). She was born on September 17, 1951, in Altoona, Pennsylvania and was the beloved, younger child to her adoring parents, Walter Lewis Brenner and Dorothy Marie Duncan. Having experienced three birth losses and told they were too elderly to adopt, her parents were eventually able to fulfill their adoption dream through the Catholic Diocese, bringing Rosemary home as a newborn.
The daughter of a retired farmer and teacher, Rosemary spent her childhood filled with many adventures on a large chicken farm in Rochester and graduated from Freedom Area High School in Freedom, Pennsylvania in 1969. She met the love of her life, Christopher Garrett, while attending Salem College in West Virginia where she earned a bachelor’s degree. After graduation, on January 12, 1974, Rosemary and Chris were married at St. John's “Burry's” Church in New Sewickley Township. As Chris’ work took them to the Washington D.C. area, they raised their family in Dale City, Virginia, where Rosemary received a master’s degree at George Mason University. Later, Rosemary also earned her Certificate in Administration and she and Chris moved to Culpeper, Virginia where she completed her professional career there. They enjoyed their retirement years traveling, eventually moving to Rockwall, Texas together.
Rosemary was a devoted, life-long educator, teaching physical education for many years as well as a multi-sport coach at Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge, Virgina and later serving as an Administrative Assistant at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Virginia. She enjoyed her coaching career with many successful high school athletic teams including volleyball, softball, and basketball. Rosemary’s passion for mentoring young athletes led her to coach Virginia State Championship teams in both softball and basketball at Gar-Field Senior High School, leaving a lasting impact on countless students through her leadership, encouragement, and unwavering belief in their potential. Firm but fair and without an “inside voice,” she was a true “players’ coach.”
Beyond the field and court, Rosemary found joy in gardening, collecting and proudly displaying the many antiques from her childhood home, and caring for her four cherished Boston Terriers, serving others through therapy dog work. Rosemary also loved supporting her husband Chris’ bluegrass band, where she helped manage and care for the group behind the scenes.
Rosemary’s proudest accomplishments, though, were as devoted mother and grandmother. She was a constant source of love, care, and support to her daughters as they built thriving careers and families of their own. Rosemary was always “on the move” serving her colleagues, students, and family while being ever-present at their school, sporting, and milestone events. She is survived by her husband Chris; daughter Allison, son-in-law Ruben, and their children Joaquin and Pilar; daughter Megan, son-in-law Lance, and their children Travis, Elijah, and Linnea.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her loving parents, Walter and Dorothy Brenner, and her brother, Lewis Brenner.
A Remembrance Gathering will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. An inurnment will take place immediately after the gathering at Ridgeview Memorial Park.
To learn more or to donate in memory of Rosemary, please visit CurePSP at https://www.psp.org or to celebrate her life with a floral arrangement through Wylie Flower & Gift at https://www.wylieflowershop.com would be deeply appreciated.