Antonia Christina (Marino) Rosebush

Antonia Christina Rosebush (Marino): April 15, 1937- March 27, 2026

Antonia (Toni or “Toe” to her friends) lived a remarkable life. She was the eldest child of Anthony and Christina Marino (Thompson) of Peterborough. She was raised by her Italian family and immersed in the Italian culture and Catholic faith which she maintained throughout her life. She was followed by her brother Robert Marino (deceased) who became a Catholic Priest and later an academic, and by her four sisters (Dorothy Williams, Barbara Chapman, Joanne Marino (deceased), and Patricia Damianopoulos) whom she enjoyed the close company of throughout her life. Antonia was pre-deceased by her twin brothers Anthony and Joseph in 1936 who were born a year before her but sadly died on succeeding days within a week of their birth.

Antonia was shy by nature, but she loved being surrounded by family and working in her father’s restaurant as a young girl. Antonia left school early to work briefly at the GE before pursuing her vocation as a hair stylist which was a popular profession in her family network. She earned her hair dressing licence in Toronto and subsequently worked in salons in Haliburton and Peterborough. Later in life she would open her own salon in the South End of Peterborough, as well as a popular “corner store” that was located at the corner of Park St and Hopkins St during the 80’s.

Antonia met the man of her dreams Ward Harry Rosebush when he moved into her family home as a border when he was only 15 years of age. Ward, her future husband, joined the RCAF shortly thereafter when he turned 17 and within a few years Antonia and Ward were married in 1959 at Sacred Heart Church. They resided in Chicoutimi, Bagotville, Stittsville, and later at CFB Uplands in Ottawa before Ward retired from the service and the family returned to Peterborough in 1971.

Antonia had three children, Christine (husband Kenn Richardson), Paul (wife Julia deceased), and Antonia (Toni) (husband Rob Cranmer) within a span of four years in the early sixties, and she devoted her life to raising her family and subsequently nurturing her six grandchildren David Gilmore (Sarah), PM Rosebush, Angela Richardson, Francesca Rosebush Desjardins (Yves), Caitlin Wolkowycki (Marcin) and Joanna McConnel, and six great-grandchildren (Jordan, Callie, Tia, Anna, Paulina and Antoni) as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Nothing made Antonia happier than cooking for her family and their friends and watching them grow and make their way in the world. Antonia and Ward’s first family home in Peterborough was in the North-end on Barnardo Ave and after their children left the family nest they relocated to a new house on the Otonabee river in the South-end of Peterborough on Sherin Ave where they lived the remainder of their lives together. For all the love and support that Antonia showered on her family and friends over the years it was returned to her in equal if not greater magnitude.

Antonia leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews and beloved friends and long-time neighbours.

Antonia’s abiding passion in life was her love and devotion for her husband Ward who pre-deceased her in 2011. Their relationship was a story-book worthy romance that would last a lifetime and beyond. They will now be reunited in eternity.

Antonia’s family thanks the stellar staff of the PRHC from the bottom of their hearts for the excellent and compassionate care Antonia received during her final days.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service being held in the chapel of Highland Park Funeral Centre, 2510 Bensfort Road, Peterborough on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 at 1:30PM.  Interment Highland Park Cemetery, with a reception to follow at Highland Park Reception Centre.  In memory of Antonia and in lieu of flowers, donations to PRHC Foundation would be appreciated by the family.  Online condolences may be made by visiting www.opustribute.com.