Rosemary Foley

Rosemary Foley, actress, playwright, teacher, and civic spirit passed away in Westport, Connecticut, on May 25, 2026. She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, generosity, and humor, inspiring countless lives. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rosemary found her calling on stage in productions at Mundelein College. She studied acting and improvisation with Viola Spolin and Paul Sills at the original Second City in Chicago and also performed at Hull House. She later moved to New York and appeared in off-Broadway productions with the IRT Theater to favorable notice in the New York Times. Rosemary turned to writing and wrote more than one hundred plays, poems, and stories. Her work was celebrated for its wit, irony, and imagination and won many awards.

Rosemary’s play “Punch and Judy,” produced by Jean Erdman and Joseph Campbell at their Theater of the Open Eye, launched her literary career. Recognized among the ten best women playwrights by Works by Women, she received the Festival of New Works Prize for “I’m Sorry, I’m Sorry”(1990) and the Havemeyer Award for “Ophelia’s Mother” (2004, performed by Lenka Peterson and Glynnis O’Connor). Her play “Oh, Promise Me,” first staged at Theatre Artists Workshop in Norwalk, Connecticut, was adapted into a film. The film, which included actress Frances Sternhagen, screened at the Big Apple Film Festival and won Best Screenplay at the Mountain Film Festival in 2008. Rosemary remained an active board member of Theatre Artists Workshop and also was a member of The Dramatists Guild. A retrospective of her plays, “Bushwhacked,” was staged and directed by TAW’s Andrea Lynn Green in 2023.

Rosemary and her husband, Bill Foley, dedicated themselves to civic life by helping found the Pelham Art Center and supporting the creation of Pelham’s public library. A long-time member of the Manor Club, Rosemary strengthened the organization by raising money with her local productions of her plays performed by local residents. She was inducted into the Pelham Hall of Honor in 2010. A dedicated teacher, she worked with children in public school and led acting workshops at the Metropolitan Opera House. Rosemary and Lenka Peterson guided young performers at the Westchester Young Actors Theater encouraging improvisation and collaboration.

Her festive holiday gatherings, where charades, sing-alongs, generous tables, and lively games were part of the tradition and were full of gusto. Known for her delicious lasagna and chili, she made every dinner party a celebration of art, food, and connection. Yet her greatest feast was the joy she gave to others. Her lively spirit and keen imagination endured in the hearts she warmed and the works she leaves behind.

Predeceased by parents Rose and Eugene Pellegrini, by siblings Amelia Lucchetti and Dr. Francis Pellegrini; and by her beloved husband Bill Foley. She is survived by her children; Georgiann, William, Robert, and Thomas, and their partners, her cherished grandchildren, and a wide circle of kin and friends. The family is deeply grateful to Rosemary’s private caregiver, Lisa.

A memorial for Rosemary Foley will be held at Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor at 11AM on July 11th 2026. For more information including services, please visit RosemaryFoley.com.