Rosemary Claire Gradie passed away peacefully in Manchester, NH, on February 4, 2026.

Rosemary was born January 4, 1940 in Haverhill, MA to Peter and Helen (Metcalf) Nappellio. Rosemary spent her early years living with her beloved grandparents, Arthur and Sadie Metcalf, in Malden, MA. Arthur and Sadie’s loving example taught Rosemary the tenets of being a good human: respect others, be considerate, and lend a hand.

Rosemary attended “parochial school” at Cheverus Catholic Elementary School in Malden. Along with an excellent education grounded in the Catholic faith, she learned the Palmer Method of penmanship, establishing Rosemary’s distinctive handwriting which she maintained throughout her life.

In 1950, Helen married Charlie Evans and the family moved to Melrose, MA. Rosemary graduated from Melrose High School in 1957. Around this time, Rosemary met and fell in love with a Massachusetts State Police trooper, Corporal Joseph Valentine Gradie, Jr. They married September 13, 1958, and settled on Nabnasset Street in Westford, MA. Three children - Vicki, Michael and Lisa – blessed the couple in quick succession. Tragedy struck the young family in June 1964 when Joe received a devastating diagnosis: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This cruel disease took him on June 16, 1966. Rosemary later married George Pergakis, and welcomed two more children: Nicole and Kristina. Rosemary raised her five children to stick together and, just as she was taught, to be good humans.

Rosemary left Westford in 1991, moving to West Palm Beach, FL for several years before returning to the area, settling in New Hampshire to be close to her family. She held many jobs throughout her life to support her family, and retired from Lowell General Hospital in 2007.

Rosemary loved butterflies and hummingbirds. She enjoyed cooking and did so, in her words, “Third Army style – lots of food, nothing fancy.” Her mac and cheese was legendary. She was a science fiction fan, especially Ann McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series. One of her favorite journeys was to San Francisco to visit her “kid brother” Charles.

Her final years were spent with Catholic Charities of New Hampshire, where she received wonderful care - first at St. Teresa Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, then Mount Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Care. In this environment, Rosemary received comfort from her Catholic faith. Her family is at peace knowing she has gone home into the open arms of a loving God.

Along with her husband, grandparents, and parents, Rosemary was preceded in death by an older brother, Richard Roderick, an older sister Patricia Stilphen, and sister in-law, Donna Roderick.

Rosemary’s five children did indeed stick together, and survive her: Vicki Lemon and her husband David, Michael Gradie, Lisa Comley and her husband David, Nicole Jambard and her husband Stephen, and Kristina DeBruin and her husband Ray. She is survived by grandchildren Carlinda Rose Walsh and her husband Eric, Areanna Valentine Lemon, Cean Comley and his wife Jen, Cassi Fulton and her husband Ray, Blake Jambard, Lindsey Jambard, Alicia DeBruin, Shannon DeBruin, and great grandchildren Arlo Walsh, Eli Walsh, Jaxson Comley, Griffin Comley, Ryder Fulton, Landon Fulton, Harper DeBoisbriand, Quincy DeBoisbriand and Marlie DeBoisbriand.

Rosemary is also survived by two brothers and a dear sister in-law: Peter and Carol Nappellio of Duxbury, MA, Charles Evans, Jr. of San Francisco, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

The family invites friends and loved ones to join them in a celebration of Rosemary’s life on Saturday, April 18 at the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH. Family will receive guests starting at 10:00, with services starting at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities, 100 William Loeb Drive, Manchester, NH 03101 or the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104.