In Memory of . . . Rosemarie Carnarius (1938-2015)
The Rev. Rosemarie Carnarius died on October 10, 2015 at the age of 76.
Rosemarie was born on November 27, 1938 to Karl Schnabel and Hilda Gertrud Barth, in Leipzig, Germany. She graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Bucks County Community College in 1984; and with a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1991.
Rev. Carnarius was ordained by the Monterey Peninsula Unitarian Church of Carmel, CA in 1992. She embarked on a two month lecture series throughout Germany in September 1992, at the invitation of the German Unitarians, and she preached at over 40 locations. She went on to serve as the Interim Minister to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne, WY from 1993 to 1994; Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, NM from 1994 to 1996; and Minister in Association at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, AZ from 1999 to 2002.
Rosemarie was born in Germany during a time of ruthless injustice and immeasurable tragedy. She was six years old when World War II ended, and fearing that she might be caught for political action against the communists, she escaped to West Germany at the age of seventeen. A deep thinker since childhood, Rosemarie’s early life experiences helped shape her ministry and writing.
Rosemarie was strongly committed to human rights, self-determination and peace with justice. She was actively involved with Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East, and in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, she started a dialogue group called Inside Out, focused especially on the tragic conditions in the Middle East. In addition, she held membership with various organizations: the Mountain Desert District Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association; International Association for Religious Freedom; Amnesty International; Bay Area Friends of Tibet; and The Northern Cheyenne Ministerial Association.
Rosemarie saw writing as her mission and purpose in life. Due to many complications from her hip surgery, Rosemarie’s ministerial career was cut short. Housebound by the complications, Rosemarie authored over a dozen publications. She was moved by the events of September 11, 2001, and subsequently authored five nonfiction books “on the urgency for personal and societal transformation”. Other published works included five volumes of poetry, two sermons, and Toward a Psychology of Wholeness – a Synthesis of the Knowledge of Modern Science and the Insights of the Mystics.
Rosemarie is remembered lovingly by her dear partner, Aston Bloom. Aston described Rosemarie as “thoughtful,” “humble,” and “one who was constantly thinking of others, even when she was dying.” Aston recalled a moment two weeks before Rosemarie’s death, during which Rosemarie noticed that Aston hadn’t been eating well, and sat her down to prepare a week’s worth of sample menus. Aston mused, “She never realized how special she was…I was her caregiver, and she was mine.”
She is survived by her long-time partner, Aston Bloom; son, Michael (Karla); daughter, Patricia (Brad); grandchildren, Ian Christopher, Kristen, Nicole, Michael and Lesley; sister, Karin (Rolf); nephews, nieces, and other relatives in Germany; as well as dear friends in both the United States and abroad.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on November 21, 2015 at the UU Church of Tucson, 4831 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Rosemarie’s life and work can be made to ANERA – American Near East Refugee Aid, 1111 14th St. NW, #400, Washington, DC 22225.
Condolences may be sent to Ms. Aston Bloom, spiritrc@aol.com or 88 S. London Station Road, Tucson, AZ 85748.