Mary Rockwell

Mary Rockwell of the Town of Neversink, NY, a retired self-employed Cateress and a long time resident passed away on Tuesday October 28, 2025 at the Sullivan County Care Center at Sunset Lake. Her daughter and long time Caregiver, Sharon Rockwell-Dumenigo had been with her during her final days, as well as the very dedicated staff at the Care Center.

Born July 4, 1926, in the village of Werfen, Austria, Mary (Maria) was the daughter of Georg and Maria (Holzmann) Greimeister. Mary often told stories of her childhood and what life was like growing up in her small village. There were farms, shops, various businesses all which seemed to function until 1938 when Hitler's troops occupied Austria. She would recall the day the German tanks rolled into her little vllage, guns were drawn and "Hitler's Yungin" came to her home and took her mother away for interrogation at the Police Station. Her mother was a strong opponent of the regime and was returned to do hard labor. Mary recalled her neighbors being taken away including her childhood friend who was blind and a young boy who was developmentally disabled, shop owners and others never to return. At the age of fourteen, Mary was assigned for one year to duty assignment where she would do "men's jobs" because the men were at war. At age 17 she was sent to a Labor Camp where she would work all day and in the evening she would return to the dorm where she was "drilled about the political movement." During that time her brother, Georg went AWOL from the German Army, was captured and taken to Siberia as a POW where he remained until his release at the end of the war. Mary and her family demonstrated great strength during these times. It was always her hope that the autrocities of war would never be forgotten, never be repeated and that someday man's inhumanity to man would cease. Unfortunately memories of the war would always haunt her as it has done to so many others who still survive.

Mary married Arthur Rockwell, a United States soldier in 1946. In May 1947, she obtained her Visa and came to America on a Troop ship named the Marine Flasherin with her infant son Frank Rockwell. Once in America Mary pursued the American Dream, always a hard worker, looking to make a better life for her family. She became a successful Cateress in Utica, NY and ran several restaurants.

In 2003 she moved to Sullivan County to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law as it was becoming more and more difficult to manage her two family home in Utica. She always enjoyed cooking and found satisfaction in preparing a good meal for others to enjoy. She loved animals and was a member of the Animal Protection League in Utica ,NY.

Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Rockwell-Dumenigo and her husband Lance of Neversink, NY; three grandchildren, Frank Rockwell, Jr. and his wife Vickie,Lisa Atanasoff and her husband, Tim, Laura Wrobel and her husband Marcel; four great grandchildren, Amy Hurley and her husband Doug, Tim Atanasoff, Jr. and his wife Katie, Jennifer Klosner and her husband Kristofer, Morgan Wrobel and six great great grandchildren, Dallas Atanasoff, Riley Atanasoff, Charlotte Atanasoff, Carson Hurley, Owen Hurley and Harper Rose Hurley; one sister, Ann Hulser; four nephews, Eric Greimeister, Tom Hulser, Tim Hulser and Mike Hulser; two nieces, Helga Herzog and Paula Wolfler. She was predeceased by her son, Frank Rockwell, her brother Georg Greimeister and sister Anna Greimeister.

Dignified cremation is being provided by Harris Crematorium, LLC.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be officiated by Father Edward Bader and attended by the immediate family.

Mary's family would like to extend their thanks to the dedicated staff who cared for her during her stay at the Care Center. The compassion and attentiveness demonstrated was greatly appreciated. In addition, staff from the Orange and Sullivan Hospice worked closely with Care Center staff during her final days to make her as comfortable as possible.

Memorial contributions in Mary's name may be made to the Sullivan County SPCA P.O. Box 995, Rock Hill, NY 12775; Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties 800 Stony Brook Court Newburgh, NY 12550 or to TunneltoTowersFoundation,T2T.org

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 or www.Harris-FH.com.