Rosemary "Rosie" Gammon Pratt

Rosemary “Rosie” Gammon Pratt, 95, passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family at home in Carmel, Indiana on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. Her passing has left all who loved her with a profound sadness and overwhelming gratitude for the many years by her side. She will be immensely missed.

Rosie is survived by her daughters Shari Adams, Terri and Diana Pratt; sons Bruce (Zarina) and Mike (Grace) Pratt; grandchildren Ryan Adams, Scott (Mandi) Adams, Jesse Venable, Adriana (Luke) Mansour, Angie Pratt, Haley Pratt, Chelsea Pratt, Alexa (Amanda) Pratt and Audrey Pratt; great-grandchildren Goldie Rose Adams, Lillia Nugent, Ivy Nugent and Emilia Mansour; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ray Pratt.

Born in Indianapolis on May 30, 1927, her early years were spent in Knoxville, Tennessee before moving back to Indiana. The youngest of eleven children, Rosie attended Flackville Elementary School, Ben Davis High School and Washington High School, where she graduated in 1945 with a math award.

In 1946, Rosie met and married Ray, a World War II Bronze Star recipient. They were married for 40 years before his early passing in 1987. She was eternally devoted to him and kept his framed portrait, Bronze Star and milk-man memorabilia hung lovingly by her bedside.

As their family grew, the Pratts moved to Carmel in 1956, where Ray worked for Borden and Rosie balanced work and motherhood, a role she perfected during her nearly 96 years of life. She instilled in her children a love for “the simple life.” They enjoyed spending time together camping as a family and she and Ray would go out on special evenings to dance the jitterbug at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Rosie worked at Indiana Bell, Western Electric and cherished her job with the Carmel Clay school system, where she worked as a lunchroom cashier until her retirement. She loved her daily interactions with the kids, who looked forward to spotting her festive earrings each holiday.

She also spent time behind the counter at McDonald’s and Meijer, where her family would often visit. Rosie’s smile and cheer were so contagious that long after she left Meijer, her photo still hung at the deli, greeting and welcoming customers with her warmth. Her grandchildren couldn’t resist stopping by just to catch a glimpse of their beloved Nana.

She was a den mother for her children’s Boy and Girl Scout troops and attended as many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s competitions and performances as she could. Her calendar was booked with basketball games, school plays, Hula Hoop competitions and recitals.

Rosie loved to sew and was a voracious reader, devouring mystery novels by Mary Higgins Clark, Agatha Christie and James Patterson.

She was the queen of cards and loved playing, sending and receiving them.

You could often find her at the Euchre table with her friends at Prime Life, holding Hand & Foot competitions with her grandchildren and doling out prizes only when earned.

Every holiday and birthday was commemorated with loving notes. She was the first to update her address rolodex during any move to make sure her love always reached its destination.

Rosie’s kitchen counter was constantly overflowing with photos and cards from family, friends and admirers.

Unlike most grandmothers, Nana was a master of modern technology. Her text messages were full of emojis and she was a favorite friend of many on Facebook. She loved her weekly FaceTime sessions with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when face-to-face hugs weren’t possible.

Everyone wanted to be “Nana’s favorite,” driving a loving competition between her grandchildren who would swap out photos by her bedside and vie to be the last to touch her when they left. Everyone wanted to hold onto Nana’s warm glow.

Rosie was the cornerstone and matriarch of the Pratt family. Her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was kind, compassionate and took care of others before herself – most especially her daughter Diana, who has special needs and spent nearly every weekend with her mother until her very last days.

While she was not wealthy by modern standards, her life was immensely rich, full of people she loved and who loved her back.

In her passing, her family takes great comfort in the knowledge that they have assuredly gained an angel. Though they grieve, they are grateful she has entered her heavenly home.

Visitation will be Friday, April 14th, 2023 from 10 am to 12 pm with a noon funeral at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel, 325 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032. A Christian Burial will immediately follow at Floral Park Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Flowers can be sent to Flanner Buchanan – Carmel or a donation in Rosie’s name can be made to IU Hospice.

Mom, Nana, Rosie – your family and friends will miss and love you forever.