Rosemary D. Rankin

Rosemary D. Rankin 

Rosemary was born on the East side of Pittsburgh and resided in Penn Hills and Oakmont for most of her life.  She grew up with two loving parents (Catherine and Thomas Dunn) and two siblings, older sister Dorothy (Hopkins) and brother Michael Dunn.  She attended Penn Hills High School and went to work immediately after, as a secretary for Duquesne Light Company.  She married her high school sweetheart Francis R. Rankin and bought a house in Penn Hills where they resided for close to 35 years.  In 1970, her only son, Clifford N. Rankin, was born and became the light of her life.

Rosemary was strong in her faith and was always there to support and serve her parish. She donated her time right up until her death to causes like The Women of Charity, Little Sisters of the Poor and Red Door Homeless Services.  Through her church and charitable works, she met many wonderful friends, and she valued every relationship.  She was widely known to be an individual who would do anything to help anybody and anytime. 

Despite her accomplishments as a wife, mother (she was the best), server to her community and dedicated friend to so many, the pinnacle moment came when her granddaughters were born.  Katie Rose and Evie became her focus, and she was never so proud of two individuals.  She was on the edge of her seat for every cheer competition (“Are they in first place?  Oh boy, Evie is our rockstar!”) and golf tournament (“What did she shoot? Oh my, Katie Rose is an example of grace under pressure!”) played. Those girls were her focus and she couldn’t wait to hear what they were up to next.

Rosemary is survived by her son, Clifford N. Rankin, daughter-in-law Diane H. Rankin, granddaughters Katie Rose Rankin and Evie Jean Rankin, sister-in-law Joanne Dunn, nephews Keith and David Dorfield.  Preceding her in death are her parents, Catherine and Thomas Dunn, her sister Dorothy (Dunn) Hopkins, her brother Michael Dunn and husband, Francis R. Rankin, and her four dogs Andy, Tiffany, Bruce and Spuds.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for visitation on Monday, December 12, 2022, from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm at CHARLES W. TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1110 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh PA, 15235.  A funeral mass will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at St. Susanna Church, Christ the Divine Shepard Parish at 200 Stotler Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235 with the burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery to follow.

 Memorial contributions can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, STS. Peter and Paul Home https://www.littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.org/donate/

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