Rosemary Cantrell

Rosemary Cantrell, 80, passed away December 10, 2025, at home in Lawrence, KS. She was born in Great Bend, Kansas to John & Veronica Boor, Jr. of Olmitz, Kansas. Her family lived many years in Maryland before retiring to Lawrence.

Rosemary graduated Hutchinson Business School, received a degree from Hutchison Community College, graduated with honors from Kansas State University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army ROTC. She went onto work as a dietitian at Walter Reed Army Hospital during the Vietnam War and obtained a master’s from the University of Maryland. After being honorably discharged as a Captain, she taught at the University of Maryland, worked as a tax accountant, and tax preparer for H&R Block. While living in Annapolis, she also served as office manager for the non-profit, Friends of the Jewish Chapel, where she was instrumental in fund raising and overseeing the construction of the Commodore Unah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 54 years, John W. Cantrell, sons, Jeff and his wife Kathryn of Knoxville, TN, Brian Cantrell and his wife Maria of Nashville, TN, and Marine Colonel Brent Cantrell and his wife Tanya of Fort Meade, MD. Sisters Ronnie Lou Drees of Manhattan, and Carolyn Hall and her husband John of Lenexa. Cherished grandchildren, Kyle Cantrell, Megan Cantrell, Kelly Cantrell, Jack Cantrell, and Elliot Cantrell. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Johnnie Boor of Great Bend.

Rosemary was an avid quilter and donated many of her projects to charities. Her great loss will be felt by her family and many friends. She also opened her home to countless cadets from the Naval Academy in Annapolis and remains close to them.

She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.

Services will be held at Corpus Christi Church on Monday December 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a social reception in Father Jim Hall. Internment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence with American Legion Honor Guard Honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Insight Women’s Center, 3210 Mesa Way, Lawrence Kansas 66049 in Rosemary Cantrell’s memory via the funeral home. Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services, Lawrence, KS.