| Star Bright, Star Light I wish I may, I wish I might Have the wish, I wish tonight! Please send me a Little Sister! I got my wish when Rosalie Irene Tennison arrived 11 February 1958. Tragically Rosalie left me on 22 November 2025. Rosalie was predeceased by her Father, Sgt Daniel Tennison, WW II and her Mother, Naomi Tennison, [Rosalie honoured her Mother with her book “Naomi’s Houses”], her husband, Robert Whitelaw, her baby brother Gareth, her big brother Edward, nephew Chad, Aunts Jean [William], Irene [Allan] Uncle Henry, Grandparents Harley and Iva and Cousin Harley. Rosalie is survived by her Big Sister Lynette, her step son Jay [Jennie] and was proud Gram to Logan and Mackenzie, her nieces Tracy [Greg], Shelly, and nephew Scott [Angie], sister in law Connie, great nieces Carissa, Ella and Chloe, Great nephews Jamison, Seth and Charlie, Uncle William, her cousins Dorothy, Cynthia, Barbara [John], Patricia [Barry], Dianne [Ken], Vern [Mary Anne] and Twila. Rosalie has too many friends to list. Rosalie always maintained her friends near and far with her letters and cards. Rosalie kept in touch with her Manitoba friends when she married Bob and moved to Ontario. Once Rosalie returned to Manitoba, she began her busy schedule. Rosalie would buy two tickets to the theatre, musicals and other cultural activities so she could take a Friend. Rosalie and her friends were always making memories. Rosalie loved to travel and left behind two cruises to Brazil and Portugal. Rosalie made many trips to spend time with our Pennsylvania cousins. Now Rosalie is on a new journey and I am sure Big Brother Edward met her with one of his pranks. Rosalie started her life in Bowsman, Manitoba. Her first school was a one room classroom. Her Father passed away when she was in Grade One and the Family moved to Swan River, Manitoba. She completed her High School in Swan River, then on to Carleton University to get her University Degree that started her writing career. Rosalie had a variety of jobs. She started at Domo [Gas Bar], jobs in Ottawa to pay for her University, Residential School and then she began her writing career. Rosalie quietly bore the false accusations of the Canadian Parliament and Canadian public that she abused the cute little girls she cared for at the residential school. Rosalie started her writing career at “Grain News” in Winnipeg, moved to the “Valley Leader” newspaper in Carman, Radio Announcer at CFAM in Altona, “WFCD Communicator” magazine in Brandon, and the Communications Department at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Once Rosalie returned to Manitoba from Carlton University, she declared she would never move back to Ontario. Rosalie crossed paths with Bob when she worked at the “WECD Communicator”. After Bob got Rosalie’s Family approval. They were married. There was one problem. Rosalie was a Winnipeg Jets fan. Bob was strictly a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Brother Edward and Bob Jr. solved the problem. At their wedding Rosalie and Bob were presented with hockey jerseys. |
| The Jets and Maple Leaf logos were switched on the respective jerseys. When they attended hockey games, the camera would flash the picture of their altered jerseys across the television screen. Never say never, because Rosalie moved back to Ontario. Her Free Lance Career started. Many of her articles are still on the internet. Rosalie told her Mother as soon as she could “scribble” that she was going to write a book. Her final accomplishment was publishing her book “Naomi’s Houses” to honour our Mother. A great thank you to Heritage House Publishing who granted Rosalie her final accomplishment. Rosalie was born a Big Girl. She had to do what the Big Kids [Lynette and Edward] were doing. Before the age of six she helped paint the wall with her little paint brush that she declared was “too” small. Lynette was knitting, so her Daddy made Rosalie little needles so she could learn to knit. Rosalie surpassed Lynette in knitting skills. Rosalie left many unfinished knitting projects. Some were for gifts. Rosalie always had a “stash” of bed socks to give to Friends who were sick. Rosalie started with Four H and became a prolific sewer. She made her own clothes, quilts and items for the church she attended. The last church to benefit with her sewing skills is The Parish Church of St Luke in Winnipeg. Friends were a very important part of her life. She managed to weave all of you into her “busy” schedule. I thank each of you for being flexible as she checked her calendar for some free time just for you. Far away friends were just as important as she sent out letters, cards and small gifts. Just before Rosalie crossed the street, she stopped at the drugstore to pick up her Christmas stamps so those far away would get her annual Christmas letter. One paragraph would tell her friends about her final accomplishment. She finally, published her first book “Naomi’s Houses”. A tribute to her Mother, Naomi. Now I have to said good bye! ! ! A Celebration of Life is planned for July 11, 2026 at the Best Western Plus, 1715 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Family will then travel to Bowsman, Manitoba for Rosalie’s internment in the Family Plot on July 13, 2026. Again, when it is closer to the date contact a Family member for details once they are finalized. In Rosalie’s memory, follow her lead of helping others. This can be paying it forward, helping the elderly, and her best attribute of surprising friends with a small gift. Rosalie was always finding unique and sometime humorous chocolate items to send to various Friends. In Rosalie’s memory9 continue her kindness with your Family, Friends and Strangers. In closing, I will share a poem written by my Little Sister Rosalie as a gift to me. This poem was written [1979] and gifted it to me in a frame with her picture. To take a picture is to steal a part of the soul. Therefore imagine That in your hand you hold a fragment of my Spirit And think That tho’ I am not near you, I am sending part of myself And so By looking at me, in spirit we are together, and our souls unite Whereby you will know, That I think of you often And you will feel That I love you And you will understand How much I miss You! |
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Rosalie’s memorial page using the comment field below.
When I was 11 years old, I stayed at the Tennison family home in Swan River for a week on a student exchange program from Beausejour. Although I never knew Rosalie, I have some memories of the family and making a beautifully decorated sugar egg with Naomi. Rosalie may have stayed with my family, Bialek’s, on the farm outside of Beausejour. It was nice to read about Rosalie. She sounds like she was a very loving, kind and caring person. My condolences to the family. May you go through this time with as much grace and ease as possible. Warm hugs, Cindy Wowczuk (nee Bialek).
Rosalie was, indeed, a remarkable person. One of a kind. I feel so privileged to have known her at 188 Roslyn Road. We worked on a few projects together as well as attended the Fringe and a few movies. Rest in peace dear friend
I first met Rosalie in 1984 when I moved to Carman MB for a job with the weekly newspaper The Pembina Times. Rosalie worked for the home-town weekly paper, the Carman Valley Leader, and was the founding member and lynch-pin of what we called The (south central Manitoba) Junior Press Club. That was my first job as a grown-up, and I could not have done it had Rosalie not taken me under her wing. She welcomed me into her circle of friends, and kept a guiding hand on me as I learned the ropes–even though I worked for the “rival” newspaper. Many years later, when she returned to Manitoba after her husband’s passing, Rosalie got in touch and somehow I managed to tuck under her wing again. In addition to being good company, Rosalie also generously gave help as I set out to learn to quilt.
She was a good friend and a solid person and I miss her. I will be forever grateful that Rosalie Tennison took me under her wing not once but twice.
Lynette, I am so, so sorry to hear this. My mother saw Rosalie’s obituary in the Free Press this weekend and called me. I am just stunned… like Gwen above (hi, Gwen!) I met Rosalie in Carman in 1984 — in fact, I inherited her job at the Valley Leader when she moved on to the radio station in Altona! It was my first job after journalism school and she was a wonderful mentor and friend. We attended town & RM council meetings together, school board meetings, etc., and gatherings of the Junior Press Club at the local bars. 🙂 After a year I got married and moved to the Toronto area, and when Rosalie did likewise a few years later, we would meet up a couple of times a year for lunch and outings to the One of a Kind Craft Show and Unique Lives and Experiences lectures. When she moved back to Winnipeg, we stayed in touch through email, and she would come out to Carman for lunch whenever I was “home,” most recently in July. I was thrilled for her when she published her book, and had her sign copies for me at the bookstore in Newmarket this spring. She was a great friend to me, and I am going to miss her. I am often in Manitoba in mid-July and will certainly attend the Celebration of Life if I am around.
Rosalie always had a warm smile and was quick to lend a hand with any chore or task at the cottage. She loved to dance, knit, and create special homemade gifts that brought joy to those around her. Her dedication extended beyond family. Rosalie gave her time and energy to helping others through her work with the Red Cross. She also cherished every moment spent with Bob’s grandchildren, creating memories filled with love and laughter. Rosalie touched many lives in her own unique ways, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
We have so many memories. All the yarn I unwound to keep little fingers busy!
I met Rosalie in Brandon in 1988 when she was working as the communications person for the Western Canadian Fertilizers Association. We became friends and had so many good times – x/country ski trip, lunches, phone calls, concerts and just hanging out. We always got the giggles at the Winnipeg Symphony concerts because we were afraid the percussionist would botch his timpani solo (one note). Of course he didn’t but we could picture how bad that would be holding our breath hoping he didn’t mess up. That’s the kind of friend Rosalie was. We could laugh at the silliest things. Rosalie moved to Winnipeg for a job at the U of M faculty of agriculture and then to Toronto when she married Bob. We kept in touch and visited. It was nice when she returned to Winnipeg. Rosalie was such an ‘alive’ person – she loved to talk and laugh with her many friends. She was a quilter and avid knitter even going on a few knitting holidays in the Shetlands and Ireland. She was a quilt appraiser, a tap dancer, a piano player, and a freelance writer. Rosalie was a fan of concerts and theatre and also very active in her church.
She volunteered at her condo, with the costume museum and the Canadian Red Cross. She’ll be missed in so many circles but especially by her friends and her sister.
Condolences to Lynette. I’ll miss Rosalie.
I first met Rosalie when her family moved to Swan River in the 1960’s. We attended school together, and although we weren’t close friends, we were still friends. Our pictures were next to each other in the yearbooks.
I moved back to Swan River in 2020, (I lived in the same neighbourhood as she did – Osborne Village) and reacquainted myself with some of Rosalie’s closest friends. When her book was released, she came back to Swan to do a book signing at the Swan Valley Historical Museum. When the notice came out that she would be there, I immediately made plans to attend. I bought a book, (personally dedicated and signed) had a good talk with Rosalie, and we did a some reminiscing about high school.
It was a total shock when I saw the news that she had passed. She was a good, kind, person, gave plenty of herself to others. She will be missed.
Rosalie was a good soul and a fine writer who wasn’t afraid to show off her country skills at the “duck hunt” in Carman’s Fireside Inn during several Junior Press Club meetings and other functions. I too benefitted hugely from her generosity in sharing her knowledge of journalism, the inner workings of small towns and the peccadillos of H.E.B.! We always had a good catch-up when I was in Toronto and later, in Winnipeg. I’m so grateful we had a chance to get together for lunch and a book (re-)signing last October when she graced me with one last shout-out to the Junior Press Club (and bought me lunch — I owe you, Rosalie!).
Rosalie was always so full of life. She stayed active and engaged no matter where she lived and, as everyone here has said, never forgot her friends. It is immensely hard to believe that she’s gone.
I was one of those far away friends. We were roommates at Carleton our first year. But through the years we managed to keep in touch. Every Christmas I looked forward to a special little Canadiana gift she would send me here in Greece. She visited me twice while on a cruise and it was wonderful to see her after so many years and feel like time had not gone by. I was worried as I had not heard from her recently and then I found the notice online. I am saddened to the core. Be well my friend . I will miss your letters and emails and hearing about your adventures.
Lynette, my deepest condolences to you and the family.
Hi Susan, I sent you a letter to tell you about Rosalie but I did not know if I had the correct address. I enjoyed our visits. I hope you got Rosalie’s last Christmas package. I know that she had mailed it to you before her accident. All the best to you, Lynette
Rosalie was the friend who connected regularly with her gift of writing. I just can’t believe that there will be no more handwritten letters or surprise parcels with books, handknit mitts, or candles. She traveled everywhere, and always had exciting experiences to recount. So many times I was able to just “catch” her between trips. I will miss her stories and insight and puffed wheat squares. She shared so much.
Lynette, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Please pass on my condolences to the rest of your family.