Obituary of Rosemary Paynter

Rosemary Reid Paynter (Ro) of Whippany NJ, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2025 at Morristown Medical Center. Born on June 21, 1944 to Mary and Roland Reid, she spent her early years moving around with her parents based on work commitments before finally settling down in Millburn, NJ, where she received her high school diploma from Bayley-Ellard High School.

Rosemary worked for Novartis Pharmaceuticals (formerly Ciba-Geigy/ Sandoz) from 1984 to 2009, where she garnered experience in domestic and international meetings in the area of Clinical Development. She created her own business, Meetings & More, LLC, specializing as an Independent Meeting Planner for domestic and international meetings. She attended Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY and New York University where she earned a Certificate in Meeting Conference and Event Management.

Rosemary was an EMT riding on the Millburn/Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad for 35 years. For the last 20 years, she also was a certified EMT instructor teaching new volunteers from the Millburn squad and members from other local squads. Rosemary held positions on the Board of Trustees including President, Secretary, Committee Chair and many years as Personnel Lieutenant of the squad.

On March 25, 2010, Rosemary was honored by the Essex County Board of Freeholders as part of the 2010 Women’s History Month Celebration, not only for her time as an EMT and NJ certified EMT instructor, but also for the volunteer fund-raising work she did for Covenant House in New York City.

Rosemary was predeceased by her parents Mary and Roland Reid, her siblings Ruth Reid Cox, Robert Reid, and Raymond Reid, daughter Lorelei Edwards, grandsons Brandon Curry and Donald Edwards III, and ex-husband and longtime friend John Russell Paynter, Jr. Rosemary is survived by her longtime companion, John Miksch, her daughters Sheryl Paynter (Kenneth Gallant) and Susan Donofrio (Douglas), her son John Russell Paynter III (Laura), her step-daughter Jennifer Pagnillo and step-son J. Bryan Miksch. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Vanessa, Jessica, Nicholas, AJ, Gabby, Hunter, Alexis, Jack, Ryan, Olivia, Katie, Diana and Stephanie. Great Grandchildren, Connor, Aubriella, Brynlee and Nicholas Jr. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, and their families.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 6^th, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at:

Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, 07040

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 7^th, at 10:00am at:

St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church,50 Short Hills Avenue

Short Hills, NJ, 07078

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rosemary’s name to:

Millburn/Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad

PO Box 226

Millburn, NJ 07041-0226