Rosemary Katheryn (Messina) Harney, 89, of Ephrata passed away peacefully on June 8, 2019 at Hospice and Community Care – Mt. Joy. Born in Dunkirk, NY, she was the daughter of the late Simon and Mary (Abbata) Messina and the wife of the late Thomas E. Harney Jr., who passed in 2018.

Rosemary completed both her Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education at State University of New York Teachers College at Fredonia. A patient and kind hearted person, Rosemary went on to be an elementary school teacher; teaching in New York, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania for a total of 56 years. Over the course of her career Rosemary received numerous awards for her excellence and dedication to teaching. In 1973, Rosemary was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for New York state.

Though teaching was her life, music was her passion. She was an accomplished musician and extraordinarily skilled in the piano and organ. She combined her love for teaching and music when she would assist in school plays and musicals. Rosemary even wrote several original children's operettas for her students in North Collins, NY. In addition to the operettas, Rosemary also was the author of the children's book "Santa's Magic Candle."

Rosemary was an active volunteer at her schools, especially with school musicals and plays. She was the past president of the North Collins Faculty Association and past president of the Hospital Guild at Lakeshore Hospital. When she was not working or volunteering, Rosemary enjoyed reading, traveling on cruises, and shopping.

She will be dearly missed by her children; Thomas E. Harney III and Mary Catharine H. Miller (Paul), her sisters; Margaret Hurd (James) and Saraleen Atti (Larry), her sister-in-law; Margaret Harney Pagano (Anthony), and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Thomas E. Harney, Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 14, 2019 at 11:00am at St. Anthony of Padua Church on 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster PA 17602. A reception for guests will follow. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice & Community Care – Lancaster at 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Arrangements entrusted to Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 717-560-5100