Rosemary Kinsolving; worked for newspapers for 46 years

Rosemary M. Kinsolving, 83, of Yeadon, an employee in the payroll and transportation departments of Philadelphia Media Network and its predecessor companies for more than four decades, died Friday, April 22, of heart failure at home.

Mrs. Kinsolving was born in Southwest Philadelphia to Clarence and Margaret McGrail. She graduated from West Catholic High School for Girls in 1950.

Three years later, she married Joseph F. Kinsolving Sr. The newlyweds bought their first home in Woodbury, but when they had the fourth of eight children, they moved to larger quarters in Yeadon.

Once the children were of school age, Mrs. Kinsolving decided to pursue her own education. She enrolled in what is now Widener University, and became so passionate about the experience that in 1974 she helped create a program called Widener Way for Women.

"She loved it. She thrived," said her family. "She was an inspiration to other women."

In 1966, Mrs. Kinsolving was hired by Triangle Publications Inc., at that time the publisher of the Inquirer and the Daily News. Initially a payroll clerk in charge of time sheets for the company's blue-collar workers, she was promoted in 1989 to shift supervisor.

She began working in 1999 as a part-time supervisor in the transportation department. She retired in May 2012.

Former payroll manager Tony Ashton recalled that Mrs. Kinsolving worked on Sundays to close out the weekly time sheets so that drivers, pressmen, mailers, and others would get paid.

"It was a responsible job," he said. "She was a loyal, outstanding employee. One Sunday, before she came in, she fell down a flight of stairs, but she completed her work and then stayed out several days to recover. That was characteristic of her.

"I could give her other assignments to do and she always got it done - and got it done correctly," Ashton said.

Transportation supervisor William Bourque said Mrs. Kinsolving was "like a mom to a lot of us in transportation." The two shared a love of Irish music.

After retiring, "she called to check up on all of us. I'm going to miss those calls. We talked about many things - people, sports, her love of the casinos, and our families," he said.

Mrs. Kinsolving enjoyed reading, watching TV game shows, debating all kinds of topics, gardening, and doting on her grandchildren.

Her husband died in 2000.

She is survived by children Joseph Jr., Karen, Meg, Bonnie Jones, Bill, Rosemary, Michele, and Kristine Remshard; two brothers; 29 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.

A visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Logan Funeral Home, 57 S. Eagle Rd., Havertown, will be followed by a second visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, 821 W. Cobbs Creek Parkway, Yeadon. A Funeral Mass is set for 10:30 at the church. Interment is in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Marple Township.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

bcook@phillynews.com

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