Obituaries

Rosemary Steffish, 68

May 19, 2017

Rosemary Steffish, of Lancaster, in her 69th year of elegance, ascended peacefully into her Lord and heavenly family’s loving arms Friday morning, May 19, 2017, with her adoring family at her side.
Born in Mine 40, a small mining town in Windber PA , she was the youngest daughter of the late Steven and Frances M. (Steback) Steffish.

After Graduating from Windber High School in ’64, at 17, she moved to Lancaster PA into her own apartment, worked at RR Donnelley, and met her companion of 50 years, Donald E. Gamber of Ephrata PA.

Through the 70’s she was district manager of Bernard Wigs and personally coordinated and opened new stores along the east coast.

She then entered into the Lancaster School of Cosmetology as a student and graduated as a cosmetology teacher. She remained at LSC serving as programs coordinator, admissions counselor, and an instructor and was voted “Cosmetology Teacher of the Year” in PA and nationally in ’88. She was a board member of the Teachers Education Council, certified Subject Matter Expert and past president of the Lancaster Professional Cosmetology Association. After briefly working at Aaron’s Studios in downtown Lancaster, she returned to LSC in ‘96 as the Director of Education, worked for Pearson View as a PA state cosmetology boards test instructor, was a questionologist, and did textbook review and curriculum input for Milady textbooks for cosmetology students. She had a fulfilling 30 years of teaching, she enriched the lives of her students with her knowledge, guidance, and compassion. She was greatly loved by her LSC family.

She created, owned and operated “Summer Smoothies”, one of the first fresh fruit smoothie venders as well as the first to sell Philadelphia braided soft pretzels, and “Summer Sand Art” and did events all over PA. She often regarded it as one of her favorite and most enjoyable moments in her life.

A member of Toastmasters International, she won numerous “Best Speaker” and “Best Speech” awards. She volunteered at the Mulberry Art Studio on occasion, and helped with the production of the vagina monologues. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, and quick to respond with a “Thank you kindly!” when helped by others.

As the matriarch of her family, she orchestrated every detail of family events. Loved traveling and creating memories with her family, and spending holidays together. She enjoyed all flora and fauna of nature, an avid flower show enthusiast and gardener, as well as Longwood Gardens. She was fond of fishing and crabbing at the beach. She appreciated camping, swimming, and having get togethers with family and friends at her cabin in Pequea, PA. She was also a lover of animals, especially cats.

She was an active member, and served as a board member of the Lancaster Metaphysical Chapel, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was very active in her faith and would attend church services and functions at several different churches. She was always prepared with prayer and blessings for every occasion.
She will be lovingly missed by her surviving family, her companion, Donald E. Gamber, her son, Gregory N. Steffish and his wife Danette A. Steffish, her daughter, April A. Steffish and her Husband Michael H. Buch, her sister Frances J. Finnegan, her brother Eugene J. Steffish and his wife Janet B. Steffish, numerous adoring nieces and nephews, four admiring Grandchildren, Kyle N. Steffish, Jesse M. Buch, Wyatt A. Steffish, and Wilson D. Buch, and many loving grandnieces and grandnephews. She is proceeded in death by her eldest brother Steven (Sonny) Steffish Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 11AM, with Rev. Allan F. Wolfe as Celebrant. A viewing will be held from 9:00-11AM, and a luncheon to follow at noon. Flowers will be received at St. Joseph church the morning of services.

The legacy of her love and light will live on in the hearts of all of us that she inspired.

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Condolences to the Family

May 26, 2017

Miss Rosemary, I know now that you are at peace. I’ll never forget our talks and lunches at LGH Campus. I know, that our Lord and Savior, planned for us to “meet” there, when and as often as we did. There are no coincedences. Thank you for sharing yourself, and for listening, and also hearing my concern about my sister. I’ll never forget the laughter, sometimes louder, than it should have been. Those were some of the best  times ever. I’ll always remember people turning around and wondering what in the world made us laugh so. It was life, living every moment the best way possible.Tomorrow is not promised. You will be missed my friend and mentor, but never forgotten. God bless your family at this time. And know her memory will be forever cherised. I love you “Miss Rosemary”!
Charmaine Williams 
 

May 26, 2017

My condolence and God’s blessing to the Steffish and Buch families.
Dale
 
 

May 26, 2017

My thoughts and prayers to Miss Rosemary’s family. She was a wonderful teacher and she will be missed.

May 26, 2017

Ms. Rosemary was my mentor all through my cosmetology career.   She was always so proud of her students.  When I was a student she coached me through many of a panic moment and gave me tough love. Whenever I had a question or concern she would listen and analyze and guide me to the right answer. Listener, leader, always a teacher, loved and missed. 

May 26, 2017

Rosemary was both my teacher at LSC and my friend.  When I was very ill for a prolonged period, she cared for my hair – which was a big boost to my self image.  Her love was expressed with every snip of those scissors.
William “Bill” Horn

May 26, 2017

My most sincere condolences to Roasemary’s family and close friends.  Those of us from Lancaster Metaphysical Chapel loved her dearly and she will be so very much missed.  Her gentle smile and suspended judgments were a gift to all.
Tanya H West

May 26, 2017

Im sorry for your loss mrs. Rosemary well be missed bye many she has touch the heart of many include mine she was my teacher in LCS 5 years ago she has taught. Me a lot n im thankful to have that joy to be a student of hers you well always be in my heart

May 26, 2017

Ms.Roamary, your love and grace and the power of teaching came over everyone you worked with. Even if not in your classroom which I was not you still reached out and embraced me.  Your connection to people was amazing .  I feel so blessed to have had the chance to have gotten  to know you.  Your spirit will surround all of us. 

May 25, 2017

Another Angel has truly earned her wings. She was truly an inspiration in my life. Many times at LSC, she gave me the motivation to move on. Best teacher ever!! LSC student, you will be missed!

May 25, 2017

Ms. Rosemary was the light, inspiration, joy and motivation for thousands of students. Her dedication to teaching and improving the field of cosmetology was recognized by everyone.  Debbie and Jerry, the owners of Lancaster School of Cosmetology found Ms. Rosemary’s creativity and dedication a step above the norm. She brought humor into her daily life and shared that with everyone at school.  She strived to make her students and colleagues better than they ever thought they could be.  She will be missed not only at school but when she enjoyed a pint of Guiness with Mr. Jerry. And we will never forget her love of Bloody Mary’s.  Her memory will remain at the school with a Ms. Rosemary Scholarship for Excellence in Education.  We are proud to honor each year with this gift to a student who best exemplifies what Ms. Rosemary believed in.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family she loved and cherished.  
Everyone at the Lancaster School of Cosmetology and Therapeutic Bodywork – Ms. Rosemary, your memories are cherished ones. 

Visitation
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
440 St. Joseph St.
Lancaster, PA
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Services
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
11:00 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
440 St. Joseph St.
Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions

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