Rosemary Echard

Rosemary Echard, our Mother, Goddess, Warrior, and Wonder Woman, has left the building after a brief illness on Sunday, May 28. Rose was born in South Bend to Benjamin and Cecelia (Krueper) Turnock. Rose took great pride in being a South Bend "East Sider" and attended St. Joseph Grade School and was a member of the first graduating class from Adams High School. After high school, Rose worked for the Indiana Bell Telephone. She then met and married the love of her life, William Echard, who she was married to for 52 years. Bill's teaching and coaching took the couple to Bardstown, Kentucky; Elkhart, Indiana; and eventually to South Bend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings; her husband, Bill; and a granddaughter, Bridget Echard Morris. Rose and Bill raised 4 children, who survive: Becky (Gene) Echard Kaiser, Ben (Christine Findley) Echard, Bill(y) Echard, and Joe (Barb) Echard. She also has two grandchildren Mark and Rose Echard; one stepgrandson, Andy Findley and a great-granddaughter, Bailey Morris. She is survived by one sister, Elizabeth (Bets) Cauley.
Rose also leaves a multitude of friends who have enjoyed her hospitality and quick wit for years. Rose and Bill loved to have a house full of friends and family. In more recent years, she enjoyed working with her daughter Becky on many animal transports and South Bend Animal Care and Control events.
Visitation will be at the McGann Hay University Chapel, 2313 Edison Road in South Bend from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the Rosary being prayed at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 1. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 2 at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Church, 1020 N. Wilber, South Bend.
The family wishes to thank Hospice for their compassionate care, especially her nurse Kendra.
Donations can be made to The Center for Hospice Care or to the South Bend Animal Care and Control 217 Fund.