Rosalie is not only one of Montview’s noteworthy Nifty Ninety Members but is also a 50-year member of Montview; this is her “Golden Anniversary at Montview!”

Rosalie grew up in an extended family that has deep roots in Texas. Born in San Saba, Texas (identified as the pecan capital of the world!), her father, a Presbyterian minister, moved the family to Sherman to a church near the campus of Austin College, a 150-year-old Presbyterian liberal arts college. The family then lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and finally in Haskell in West Texas, north of Abilene. Rosalie remembers family gatherings at her grandparents’ ranch in West Texas with lots of cousins, riding horses, exploring, and playing in sand, mud and water – loving the outdoors.

From about the age of five, Rosalie began playing the piano and later learned to play the organ. Her father used to say that he was training her and her sister to be pianists at his churches. Rosalie was rigorously trained musically and played for events year-round: at church, in school, for plays, choirs, and gatherings of friends. She continued to play instruments in college and earned a minor in music at Austin College. She has enjoyed practice time on the Montview organ, a privilege given to her by John Kuzma.

Rosalie graduated from a high school class of about 40 students at Haskell High School. There was never a doubt that she would continue her education and graduated from Austin College. In fact, her mother, one of seven children growing up on a ranch in West Texas in the early 1900s, had graduated from Texas Women’s College. How she paid for her education, no one knows. 

While in college, Rosalie met Bill, a business major. They married right after her college graduation in 1957. Rosalie taught high school English in Garland, Texas, and middle school English in Sherman, Texas, while Bill completed his degree. Among the jobs Bill held in their early years together was one as Business Manager at First Church, Dallas. Following that job, he was employed by Humble Oil Company, a small Texas company bought out by Exxon.  During the following eight years, three children were born as they moved 10 times, sometimes returning to a city in which they had lived at least once. However, the final move was to Denver in the 1970s. Rosalie returned to college for a M.A. in work with emotionally/educationally disabled students and was hired by Jefferson County School System. After a marriage of 19 years, she and Bill went their separate ways. Rosalie retired after teaching for 21 years.

In the 70s, she visited Montview Presbyterian which had been recommended to her by the organist at Austin College. She found the music attractive and the ministers thoughtful and welcoming; she was also intrigued by the church’s positions on social justice. She joined in 1975.

At a meeting early on, she noticed a quiet, single fellow who seemed interesting but retiring – Herb Johnson, who had worked for FEMA. She and Herb began a 20-year relationship enjoying Denver and each other’s company. Since they were both busy with work lives, children and church, they saw each other mostly on weekends. However, as they looked toward retirement, they married and enjoyed 18 more years together. 

Rosalie has three children: David, who lives in Denver and has two girls, one of whom is a vulcanologist; Andie, a fourth-grade teacher in Portland whose daughter just married; and Mary, a part of a minister couple who live in Ohio with two sons.

Rosalie and Herb enjoyed exploring Mexico, Canada, Europe, and many places in the US. On a visit to Morocco, Rosalie took the opportunity to ride a camel. To her surprise, the camel driver insisted that she ride sidesaddle, a first for Rosalie, who was not pleased.

During her many decades at Montview, Rosalie has served as an Elder twice, a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Heritage Committee, worked with the Anti-Discrimination Task Force, and served on many other committees. She continues to drive to Montview for committee meetings, the 11am service on Sunday mornings, and a variety of classes.

Rosalie reads books on a wide range of topics, keeps up with world affairs via The New York Times, walks her dog three times a day, participates in the West Side Fellowship group, and travels to see family and friends. She credits her longevity to good family genetics; close, supportive friends; a positive outlook (“There are so many small things going on to celebrate.”); being a good listener (“Listen to people who are quiet.”); and always being ready to learn new things.

– Submitted by Brooke Durland and Rosalie McCall-Johnson