Rose Marie Catherine Bayha, also known as “Boots,” died Jan. 31, 2024, at the age of 83 in her home in Lake Stevens, Wash. She was born on April 30, 1940, in Dupo, Illinois as the seventh and youngest child to Tom and Ruth Vickers.

Rose Marie led a life marked by hard work, her joyful spirit and a deep love for her family. A woman of many virtues, she will be remembered for her kindness, boundless energy, resourcefulness, generosity and thoughtful consideration for others. Her hobbies, which included cooking, crocheting, reading mystery novels, gardening, completing crossword puzzles and bargain shopping, were a testament to her zest for life and the joy she found in simple pleasures.

Rose Marie was a proud alumna of Dupo High School class of 1958, as well as the prom queen, alongside then-boyfriend Allan as prom king. Rose Marie and Allan married in 1960, and she became a mother a year later with two more children following closely after. 

After moving their growing family of three to Washington state, Rose Marie and Allan turned the bare bones of a house into the warmest home for their loved ones and welcomed their fourth child. They later started a business together and she was the esteemed co-business owner of American Overhead Door, alongside her husband Allan. They sold their business several decades later and Rose Marie continued to work as a bookkeeper for one of her sons.

Rose Marie worshiped at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Our Lady of Hope) and found great solace in her faith.

Rose Marie’s grace and warmth will be deeply missed, yet her legacy will continue to inspire those she has left behind.

Rose Marie leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories for her devoted husband Allan; brother Bill; beloved children,Glenn, Jerry, Kim and Sandy; daughter-in-law Doris; adored grandchildren, Sean, Travis, Aaron, Taylor, Connor, Madison, Riley and Anders; alongside 13 treasured great-grandchildren. 

Her life’s journey was shared with her siblings Tom, Sam, Mike, Frank, and Elenora, who preceded her in death.

The Bayha family invites loved ones to join in a memorial service to pay tribute to Rose Marie’s memory, which will be held at 11 a.m. March 2 at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home in Marysville, Wash. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in her name to the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation to honor her love of reading. https://sno-islefoundation.org/donate/