In Memory of

Rosemarie

Jean

Voorvaart

Obituary for Rosemarie Jean Voorvaart

Rosemarie Jean Voorvaart, 55, a resident of Granby, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 11, 2015 with loved ones present, after an extensive seven year battle with cancer, which she fought with nothing less than a warrior’s heart. She was born on June 15, 1960 in Plymouth, MA, the fourth child and second daughter of Patty and Jack Voorvaart. She is survived by her parents, John H. and Patricia M. Voorvaart; son, Andrew Laplante; former husband and friend, Stephen Laplante; siblings, Henry Voorvaart and his wife Sharon McElhanon Voorvaart, Lisa Voorvaart, Peter Voorvaart and his wife Darla Voorvaart, Tara Voorvaart Derouen and her husband Michael Derouen, and William Voorvaart and his wife Christina Surdam Voorvaart; nieces and nephews, Chelsea Voorvaart, Rachael Voorvaart Johnson, Amanda Voorvaart, Tucker Voorvaart, Bailey Voorvaart, Burton Koch, Elizabeth Koch, Lindsay Derouen Combs, and great nephew and great niece, Jacob Johnson and Railynn Johnson, along with a vast abundance of friends, near and far and her beloved cats. Rose was employed for her entire business career with CIGNA Insurance Company, her last position as a Vision Healthcare Business Analyst, displaying a wonderful knack for solution-solving. She was the family’s encyclopedia guru to whom most questions were directed when someone was trying to recall a specific date or long ago, past life-event. A family member would chime in “Call Rose - she will know it” and we would chuckle! She never ceased to amaze her family members with how sharp and organized her memory-bank was! Rose was an avid, vibrant and loving Christian who took on her personal challenge to be “the best cancer patient ever” as she was determined to be Christ’s warrior on earth. Rose made it her mission to be a ray of sunshine and give hope to friends and strangers alike, helping them to realize that they did not have to fight any battle of life-threatening illness alone. She showed them that there was a loving God who cared for and loved them totally. Rose touched the hearts and lives of many fellow cancer patients she met throughout her long journey. She was a member of the Valley Brook Community Church and was involved in Women’s, Caring and Greeting Ministries. Rose was always there to roll up her sleeves and to help anyone in need, even as her health continued to deteriorate. She loved gathering treasures to fill shoeboxes of gifts for children around the world for Samaritans Purse/Operation Christmas Child. Rose was an avid lover of historical literature. She was also a talented scrap-booker and card maker. She adored being an Auntie, doing crossword puzzles, watching “Jeopardy” with her son and “Say Yes to the Dress” with her sister. Rose was an animal-lover for all creatures, with cats being at the top of her list. When Rose and her best friend sister Lisa, when asked by strangers if they were twins, would respond with a “Yes”! “Three years apart”. Their moniker “The Sister Act” is known by many. There are no calling hours. A joyous memorial service will be celebrated Saturday, December 19th at 11:00 am at the Valley Brook Community Church, 160 Granville Road in North Granby as we rejoice in Rose's new heavenly home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are invited to celebrate Rose's life with family and friends. Please feel free to wear bright and happy colors. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or to the Big Cat Rescue, 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, FL 33625. Please visit Rosemarie’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.