Obituary of Rev. Rosemarie Carnarius
Born November 27, 1938, The Rev. Rosemarie Carnarius made her transition on October 10, 2015, after a long and valiant struggle that originated with complications from failed hip surgery, resulting in an early retirement from ministry. Accepting what could not be changed, she concentrated on her gift for writing and ultimately published five volumes on personal and societal transformation. Her work focuses on such topics as the debilitating costs of consumerism and the dehumanizing effects of militarism and war. Emphasizing instead the oneness of life, universal human rights, peace with justice, environmental protection and reconciliation of science and religion, she offers a blueprint for a spirituality of the 21st century. Among her books are “Liberating Masculine and Feminine”; “Envisioning a New World”; “Humanity at a Crossroads”; “Armageddon or Awakening”; “One Light, One Spirit”. She is also the author of five books of poetry compiled and published in 2014. Titles include: “Reflections from a Riper Hour”; “Sounds of Protest, Songs of Praise”; “Gold Dust from a Midnight Sun”; “Light above the Clouds” and “A Scent of Beauty”.
A native of former East Germany, she experienced as a child the Second World War and the twin tyrannies of fascism and communism. These experiences shaped her life and inspired her to be an agent of change. As a result, her vision of a transformed world was uniquely rooted in a dynamic partnership of spirituality and politics.
At seventeen, she escaped to West Germany, and in 1960 arrived in America with her husband Roderick. They resided in Bucks County, PA, raising a son and daughter.
Being enthralled with the beauty of the Southwest during a previous visit, Rosemarie moved to Tucson in 1984. After initially working as Religious Education Director at the Unitarian Universalist Church, she fulfilled a life-long call to study for the ministry. She enrolled at Starr King School for the Ministry, an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and received her Master’s of Divinity in 1991. After her ordination in 1992, she immediately began a 2-month speaking engagement at the invitation of the German Unitarians. Traveling extensively and speaking to a wide variety of people, she deeply reconnected with her German roots. The experience was one of the most poignant and inspiring of her ministry.
She served churches in Cheyenne, WY, Las Cruces, NM and Tucson, AZ, where she was invited to be Minister in Association in 1998. This allowed her to continue a scaled-down version of ministry.
In 1994, her imagination and commitment were kindled by the Enneagram, a compelling typology of nine basic personalities and a powerful tool for personal growth. She was exposed to its potentials during a weeklong international conference at Stanford University. Experiencing most of its great teachers and writers, and resonating with the wide-ranging possibilities offered by the Enneagram for psychological self-knowledge and spiritual transformation, she enthusiastically introduced it to the congregations she served. She reached hundreds of members who spoke of being singularly enriched by its value and wisdom.
Rosemarie had a passion for beauty, music, drama, photography, and an enduring love for nature since early childhood. A romantic and visionary, she preferred living at the edge, trusting in the goodness and generosity of life. Her capacity for connecting with people from the heart earned her the reputation of never having met a stranger.
Mourning her transition and celebrating her uncommon life are her long-time partner, Aston Bloom, son Michael (Karla), daughter Patricia (Brad), grandchildren Ian Christopher, Kristen, Nicole, Michael and Lesley, sister Karin (Rolf), nephews and nieces and other relatives in Germany, as well as dear friends in both this country and abroad. A memorial service will be held on November 21 at the UU Church of Tucson. Donations in honor of Rosemarie’s life and work can be made to ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid), 1111 14th St. NW, #400, Washington, DC 22225.