Rosemary Alice Campbell

Rosemary Alice Campbell passed away October 15, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a long illness. She was 87. She was surrounded by family and passed peacefully after a short stay in inpatient hospice.

Funeral Mass, St. Canice Catholic Church, Friday, November 15, 2025, 10:30 am

Reception: The family will host a reception, immediately following the graveside service. An announcement will be made at the funeral for the location of the reception. All attendees are invited.

Please email the family at jadiggins@gmail.com, or by text, 702 279 6789 to let us know if you are able to attend.

Rosemary Thibault Campbell, born January 11, 1937, in Hobart Mills, California, to Ted and Alice Thibault. Rosemary spent her early years in Hobart Mills and Tionesta, California before her family settled in Nevada City. Her father worked in lumber mills and box factories, while her mother pursued a career in teaching.

Rosemary followed in her mother’s footsteps, attending Sacramento State College graduating in 1958 with a teaching degree. However, her life took an adventurous turn when she met a young Air Force Lieutenant, Harvey Campbell. After a whirlwind romance, the couple married on December 29, 1962, at St. Canice Catholic Church. Rosemary soon left behind her family and friends in northern California to join Harvey at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, where she began raising their first two children, Ann and David, born just 18 months apart. During Harvey's long missions flying B-52s over the Arctic Circle, Rosemary would stay awake at night in base housing, waiting for the planes to land safely. From the bathtub, she could catch sight of the returning aircraft, giving her comfort that Harvey was home.

When Harvey volunteered for duty in Vietnam, Rosemary returned to northern California with Ann and David, living near her parents for a year while he was overseas. After Harvey's safe return, the family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. There, Rosemary gave birth to their third child, Daniel, and resumed her teaching career. The family continued their journey across the country and the world, with postings in Louisiana, Virginia, and a two-year assignment in Seoul, South Korea, where they adopted their fourth child, Katie. They eventually returned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas in 1981.

Throughout these moves, Rosemary dedicated her professional life to teaching elementary students in California, Nevada, Virginia, and overseas in South Korea. Her passion for teaching, especially reading, was evident in her classroom and in her own home. She was a tireless advocate for her children and students, instilling a love of learning and ensuring her children received a consistent education despite frequent relocations. Known for her sense of humor, infectious laugh, gardening, and culinary skills, Rosemary also took up quilting in her later years, leaving her family with cherished handmade keepsakes. Her homes were always filled with love, laughter, and a welcoming spirit, especially during holiday gatherings. Rosemary was

an avid gardener and enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers everywhere she lived.To the disappointment of her children, she excelled at growing zucchini.

After Harvey's retirement, the couple returned to California, first settling in Simi Valley before building their dream retirement home on eight acres of rolling hills outside Grass Valley. They enjoyed 25 years there until Harvey’s passing, after which Rosemary relocated to Henderson, Nevada, to live with her daughter Ann and son-in-law John.

Rosemary is survived by her children, Ann Diggins (John), Daniel Campbell (Courtney), David Campbell (Gracie), and Katie Frederick (Chris). She is also survived by nine grandchildren—Monica and Marc Campbell; Megan and Ian Campbell; Matthew, Josh, and Sean Diggins, and Everett and Ben Frederick—and three great-grandchildren, Emilia, Theo, and Katherine Diggins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Alice Thibault, and her beloved husband of 58 years, Harvey Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, causes that were close to Rosemary’s heart.