Surrounded by her loving family, Rosemary Ann Leber (84) passed away peacefully at her home in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Rosemary was preceded in death by her devoted and loving husband of 56 years, Robert E. Leber, MD, and her beautiful daughter, Cynthia Ann, who died tragically in 1985 at the age of 16. She was also pre-deceased by her beloved sister, Marlene (Robert) DiLella of Naples, FL. She is survived by her three loving children, Karen Leber, MD, of Tempe, AZ, Geoffrey (Lauren) Leber, MD, of Wellesley, MA and Robert (Lisa) Leber, Jr., of Chandler, AZ.
She will be dearly missed by her six admiring grandchildren: Thomas Barranger, Nicholas and Robert Leber III of Arizona and Eric, Alexander and Elissa Leber of Massachusetts. She will also be deeply missed by her loving brother John P. (Jeanette) D’Orta of West Chester, PA, dear sister-in-law Elaine (Milton) Snegaroff, formerly of Cherry Hill, NJ, along with many special nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and cherished friends.
Rosemary was born on April 12, 1940, in Philadelphia, PA, daughter of the late Vincent and Antoinette (Marchese) D’Orta. She was a 1958 graduate from West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School. Following graduation, she pursued a career at Hahnemann (Drexel) University School of Medicine, serving as the Senior Administrative Assistant to C. Everett Koop,
MD, former U.S. Surgeon General. It was during this time that she met her husband, Robert, a second-year medical student. Following their marriage in 1961, Rosemary assumed the honorable duty of a Naval Officer’s wife, accompanying her husband Robert to Hawaii where he served his first deployment in the United States Navy as Lieutenant, serving on the U.S.S. Maury (A.G.S. 16) as the ship’s Chief Medical Officer. Upon completing his Naval service, Rosemary accompanied her husband’s return to Philadelphia, as he continued his General Surgical training at Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.
Rosemary, Robert and their growing young family transitioned to the suburbs of Boston, as Robert completed his Oncologic Surgical Fellowship at the Lahey Clinic. Settling in Wellesley, MA, Rosemary was a devoted full-time mother, real estate agent, served several years as Cub Scout Troop Leader and was an active community member of the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club. In 1977, seeking better weather and greater practice opportunities, Rosemary and her family moved to Arizona. It was there that Rosemary enjoyed year-round golf. Along with her husband, she became an avid golfer and long-time member of the Mesa Country Club, where many lasting friendships were made.
Along with her husband and family, Rosemary enjoyed travelling much of the world. Her family will always remember and cherish Rosemary’s homemade recipes, which have since become heirloom treasures. However, Rosemary’s most special role will always be as ‘Mom’, and most endearingly, ‘Nana’. She will be deeply loved, dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.
In accordance with her wishes, a private memorial service to celebrate the life of Rosemary A. Leber will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or for those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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