Rosemarie Wagner Herrmann

Rosemarie Wagner Herrmann, of Harlingen, Texas, died on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the age of 70.  Born and raised in New York, Rosemarie graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. where she went on to work for Senator Abe Ribicoff, then for the Migrant Legal Action Program. It was there that she met her husband of 26 years, James A. Herrmann (Jim).  In 1975 the couple moved to Harlingen where Jim accepted a position with Texas Rural Legal Aid and Rosemarie became the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Cameron and Willacy Counties and remained in that position until she retired in May 2007.  She was passionate about women’s healthcare and continued to support Planned Parenthood and its mission throughout her life.  Rosemarie and Jim made Harlingen their home, where they raised two daughters, Sarah and Rebekah, and made numerous friends.  Rosemarie became an active community member, volunteering for and serving on the boards of numerous organizations.  She was a founding member of the Valley Aids Council and served on the board for many years. At the time of her death, she was active with the American Association of University Women, Family Crisis Center of the Rio Grande Valley, Action South Texas (Founding Member), Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum (Secretary), and Tip O Texas Genealogical Society (President).   She was active in her daughters’ schools, and believed education was integral to an individual’s success.  She could often be found with a book in her hand and instilled a love of reading in both of her daughters and her grandsons.   A lover of history, she was an avid genealogist, researching her own family, as well as the families of many others.  She traveled often, throughout the United States and Europe, both for fun and to further research her ancestors.  Throughout her life, her home was open to all, as she welcomed any coworker, acquaintance or friend of hers, Jim’s or her daughters’.  There were often extra places set at her table where lively conversations and great food were standard fare.  Rosemarie’s wisdom, patience, humor and compassion made her an advisor, confidant, and support to many, especially her daughters.

Preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph Wagner and her husband Jim, she is survived by her daughters, Sarah Herrmann and Rebekah Herrmann Batot, her son-in-law Adam Batot, grandsons James and Jacob Batot, eight siblings Mary Hilli, Joanne Harms, Joe Wagner (Joanie), Jane Quinn (Bob), John Wagner (Chris), Tom Wagner (Peggy), Regina Wagner, and Terry Blackford (Bill), her sisters-in-law Phylis Francis and Tracie Carpenter (Jeff), 31 nieces and nephews, many of whom have children of their own - all of whom loved her.

Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1015 E. Van Buren Harlingen, Texas, to be followed by a reception at 11:30 a.m. at the Raimond Center of the First United Methodist Church, 321 E. Harrison, Harlingen, Texas.   All are welcome to attend either or both the mass and reception as we celebrate Rosemarie’s life.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 N. Ed Carey Drive, Harlingen, Texas, where any flowers may be delivered on May 12, or in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Planned Parenthood South Texas.