Remembering Rosemary

Hudson mourns the loss of longtime reporter Rosemary Rimkus

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Remembering Rosemary

HUDSON – For decades, Rosemary Rimkus shared the milestones of the residents of Hudson – weddings, birthdays, graduations, new businesses, fundraisers and everything in between.

The “Keynotes” and “Hudson Happ’nings” author lent her pen to local newspapers for over 60 years, including at the Community Advocate, before she died on Jan. 19.

“In today’s climate of distrust and disregard for the media, Rosemary was a trusted source, using her time, talent and enthusiasm to connect neighbors and enrich our community – always with a lovely smile,” said Rep. Kate Hogan. “Hudson is a better place because of her contributions.”

A ‘great example’

Born in Dorchester in 1929, her family moved to Hudson in 1931. Rimkus was the last surviving member of the former St. Michael Academy class of 1946. She was still in high school when she got her start writing for the Hudson News Enterprise.

Rimkus was the wife of Hudson High School teacher and coach Victor Rimkus. The pair had eight children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“She really relished being that person who could get people’s news out and she also enjoyed finding it out,” said her son Peter Rimkus. “She wanted to talk to people about what was going on so that she could learn about it and then spread it around the community.”

Rick Lombardi was the editor of the Hudson Daily Sun and Marlborough Enterprise in 1982.

Remembering Rosemary

At that point, Rimkus had solidified herself as an important part of town with her popular “Keynotes” column.

“Everything she wrote was gold because it meant that everybody in town was going to turn into that page and read what she had wrote because she was the historian in town, basically,” Lombardi said. “She made sure that everybody’s birthdays, anniversaries, special events were all noted.”

At a small newspaper, memorializing the citizens was an important part of the job. Rimkus was perfect at it, Lombardi said.

“She knew everybody, and everyone knew her,” he said.

When you spoke with Rimkus, she made you feel like you were important to her. Lombardi worked with her for 15 years, including while former Gov. Paul Cellucci served with the state Senate. He recalled that Cellucci would occasionally ask to make sure that Rimkus got his information in her column.

“She was a breezy, friendly writer and connected to the reader in an easy, friendly way – just like you would be talking to your neighbor in your backyard over the fence. She was able to communicate easily that way. That’s why she had a great following,” said Lombardi.

Remembering Rosemary

Town Clerk Joan Wordell remembered how Rimkus would help spread the word about events and even her find homes for stray cats and dogs while she worked with animal control.

“Rosemary was always to the point and always dependable,” she said. “As a person, Rosemary was a very sweet, kind and caring lady that I will sincerely miss. Rosemary was a great example for all of us to follow to make a better community.”

Rimkus volunteered at the former Christ the King Parish and St. Michael’s, worked the polls on Election Day and was involved with the Hudson Historical Society. Over the years, Rimkus has been recognized for her work. In 2016, Rosemary and Victor Rimkus were marshals in the parade celebrating the 150th anniversary of Hudson. In 2018, Hogan nominated her for the Unsung Heroine award. She was also inducted in the Hudson High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, days before Victor Rimkus died.

Mary Wenzel has served as Rimkus’ counterpart in Marlborough for decades, writing her “Sampler” column for the Marlborough Enterprise and “Marlborough at a Glance” for the Community Advocate. She remembered being asked to write a column for the city like “Rosemary Rimkus does for Hudson.”

Wenzel said she considered her her friend, colleague and mentor.

“I am one of many whose lives she has touched,” she said.

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