Rosemary McGee
The Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc. (dba Brightspire Foundation) is honored to announce that former River Landing at Sandy Ridge resident Dr. Rosemary McGee has provided an incredible gift of over $84,000 naming the Foundation as the beneficiary of her IRA. Her gift will benefit the River Landing at Sandy Ridge endowment for resident financial assistance.
Growing up in Texas, Rosemary considered herself a Texan, though she was born in Camden, New Jersey. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. After graduation, she went to the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, now UNCG, to serve in the department of Health and Physical Education. And in 1954, at the age of 26, she became the youngest faculty member with a doctorate in her department.
Rosemary's 34-year career was spent teaching thousands of students to swim, which she treasured, particularly as she worked with those students who were afraid of the water. She also specialized in the theoretical areas of measurement, evaluation and statistics. She served as Dean of Women from 1966–68 and interim Dean of the School of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance from 1979–80. However, her passion was working directly with the students in the role of teacher and advisor. In her many years at UNCG she directed 33 doctoral dissertations and over 60 master's theses.
As a young woman, Rosemary enjoyed singing solos with her church choir, for weddings and at military bases during WWII. She loved working with her hands and was an avid woodworker and rose and vegetable gardener. Her other hobbies included golf, travel and fishing; she even raised her own red wiggler fishing worms.
Rosemary moved to River Landing at Sandy Ridge in 2003 where she enjoyed the nine-hole golf course and was proud to be the only female on campus to have a key to the woodworking shop. She was actively involved as a resident and served on the River Landing Board of Trustees as well as the finance committee. She also continued to experience joy in working with students by volunteering as a mentor in the collaborative initiative between River Landing and High Point University to inspire pharmacy students to communicate more effectively with patients.
"Rosemary was an intelligent and thoughtful long-time resident of this community who was full of life and good cheer. She is missed by all who knew her and loved her. What a truly touching gift that will make a difference for residents for years to come," shares Tom Smith, Executive Director of River Landing at Sandy Ridge.