Rosemary Howlett Vance, 68

Published 1:24 pm Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Rosemary Howlett Vance, 68, passed away on September 18, 2023, at Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville, Kentucky from complications of a brain aneurysm. Rosemary was born in March of 1955 in Glendale, Kentucky, the middle of nine children of John and Helen Howlett. She was preceded in death by her father, John W. Howlett, her mother, Helen Skees Howlett, and her brother, Bertrand Howlett. She is survived by her husband, Roger Teague, two sons, John Vance (Annabelle), Michael Vance (Erin Pyrek); a grandson, Benjamin Vance; two stepsons, Kevin Teague (Elise), Brian Teague; and seven siblings, Diana Howlett (Jim Ashton), Steve Howlett, Laura Howlett (Jeff Rice), John Howlett (Debbie), Carol Howlett (Wayne Jackson), Valerie Howlett (Forrest Day), and Michelle Howlett. Rosemary was raised on a dairy farm in Glendale, Kentucky. She graduated from East Hardin High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Louisville and later a degree in law from the University of Kentucky. She was called to the Kentucky Bar in 2003, and then worked as an Administrative Officer of the Circuit Court in Danville, Kentucky, retiring in 2020. In addition to raising her children, Rosemary’s greatest joy was her involvement with Children of the Americas, a Kentucky-based non-profit organization that provides medical assistance for women and children in Guatemala. For children who needed extended surgeries and treatments, she welcomed them into her home and fostered them through their times of hardship with compassion and warmth. Rosemary began working with Children of the Americas in 1995 and served as the executive director from 2000 until 2023. The positive impacts of Rosemary’s dedication are far reaching and left an indelible mark on the people of Guatemala. She was well respected and loved by the hundreds of volunteers who worked with Rosemary through Children of the Americas, and her contributions forever changed the lives of thousands of Guatemalans. Rosemary will be truly missed by those whose lives she touched. A celebration of Rosemary’s life will take place on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 to 1:30, with a special tribute at 12:30 pm at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, expressions of condolences can be made to Children of the Americas at www.childrenoftheamericas.org.