Rosemary E. (Crider) Guerriero

Rosemary E. Guerriero of Wheeling, WV, beloved mother of three, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024, at the age of 84, surrounded by her family. Born in Bridgeport, OH, on September 4, 1940, to George F. and Augustina (Melchiori) Crider, Rosemary lived a life dedicated to her family, career, and community.

Rosemary attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and St. John’s High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from Wheeling University and West Liberty University. She worked as a medical laboratory technologist at Ohio Valley Medical Center until her retirement, enjoying both her career and the opportunity to teach medical technology students on hospital rotations.

On June 4, 1966, Rosemary married her high school and college sweetheart, James C. Guerriero. Together, they built a loving family and made lasting memories with their parents and siblings. Rosemary supported James throughout his teaching career, attending many of his musical performances and social events at West Liberty University. A devoted mother, she cherished making trips to dance lessons, recitals, music classes, and high school band and choir performances for her three children. She also served as Band Booster and Choir Booster President at Wheeling Park High School, reflecting her active role in her children’s education and extracurricular activities.

Rosemary had a zest for life and a love of games, from card games and Scrabble to Parcheesi and Mahjong. A fierce competitor, she cultivated her competitive streak while growing up with her three spirited brothers: Ferdinand, Gary, and Daniel Crider. Family gatherings often featured lively card games that brought everyone together. After retiring, she enjoyed playing Mahjong with her lab friends and cultivating her passion for gardening. Rosemary’s beautifully designed perennial garden was a source of joy and creativity for her.

Following James’s retirement, the couple traveled extensively, taking cruises, European tours, and visiting their children and grandchildren. Wherever they went, Rosemary always made time for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. She especially loved playing with her grandchildren and cherished watching them grow into their unique selves. As a grandmother, Rosemary was a source of advice, support, and unconditional love, always lending a helping hand when needed. She instilled in her children and grandchildren her best qualities: resilience, a strong work ethic, a love of nature, and a playful spirit.

In her later years, after moving to Pittsburgh in 2022, Rosemary developed a particularly close bond with her son Christopher, his wife Emily, and their two daughters, Aurelia and Ivy. Being an integral part of their family brought her immense joy and peace.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Guerriero (2018), her parents, George and Augustina Crider, and her brother, Ferdinand Crider (Kathy). She is survived by her brothers, Gary Timothy Crider (Patricia) and Daniel Martin Crider (Judith), her three children and their spouses: Anita Lawrenz (Steve), Bridget Beliveau (Kenneth), and Christopher Guerriero (Emily), as well as her four grandchildren: Brandon Lawrenz, Alexis Lawrenz, Aurelia Guerriero, and Ivy Guerriero. She is also survived by her husband’s brother, Samuel Guerriero (Barbara).

Her children will deeply miss her but find comfort knowing she has been reunited with her husband and soulmate James.

Showing will be family only at Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Rd., Brookside, OH on December 18th and public mass will be held at St Vincent de Paul church, 2244 Marshall Ave, Wheeling, WV on December 19th at 11 am, with Father Jeeson Stephan officiating.  Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation in Rosemary’s memory.

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