Rosemary Anne Wijesooriya

Born September 17, 1939, in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The second daughter of four children to Bernard and Winnifred Fernando (Barney & Winnie) Rosemary passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in her hometown of Calgary, AB, at the Foothills Hospital on Monday, November 25, 2024. Rosemary is predeceased by her husband Mervyn (Wijesooriya), siblings Yvonne (Shankar), Desmond, Milroy, and parents Barney & Winnie.

Having relocated much due to Barney's work, the Fernando family was close-knit, always making a house feel like a home, filled with joy. Finaly settling in the suburb of Nawala where Rosemary and her siblings went to school. Rosemary and Mervyn, having known each other since childhood, eventually started dating and were married on December 23, 1968.

In 1970, they welcomed their first son Namala and shortly after that year, Mervyn & Rosemary moved to London, England, to pursue Mervyns’ education. During their time in London, though times were difficult, they made memories & friends that remain close to this day. Upon Mervyn graduating in 1974, they immigrated to Canada. Following family members along to Calgary, AB, great friends in the Sri Lankan community formed and they genuinely enjoyed all the family gatherings with great memories made together. In 1981, they welcomed their second son Gamunu. As a young family they traveled together throughout the west coast of Canada and the United States extensively with great memories created, Rosemary especially loved California.

A proud member of the Calgary oil and gas industry, Rosemary started working at Imperial Oil in 1985, where lifelong friends were made, she very much enjoyed her time within the company and having navigated her way through the difficulties of the industry in the nineties & two thousands, health issues forced Rosemary to retire early, proudly representing Imperial Oil, Texaco and finally finishing her career at CNRL. Always supporting the industry, even in her final years saying, “I don’t know why they need electric cars? there’s plenty of oil & gas.”  

After her retirement she enjoyed traveling, always planning different destinations to visit. She enjoyed trips with friends, family, and loved saying “oh I’ve been there.” Travel and shopping were her main interest but her most cherished time in retirement was with her grandchildren Enzo & Aria, whom she adored and loved dearly. Nothing put a bigger smile on Rosemary’s face than seeing her two grandchildren. Most recently Rosemary’s love and affection for her dog Hugo was a high priority in her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:30pm at the Canyon Meadows Community Association (844-848 Cantabrian Drive SW). We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful caregivers of the Foothills hospital for their care and attention of Rosemary during her peaceful transition. In leu of flowers, we ask a donation to the heart and stroke foundation of Canada in Rosemary’s name.

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