Rosemary Rutherford Boulter was born on April 16, 1943 in Muleshoe, Texas, 70 miles west of Lubbock, to Hubert and Avis Rutherford. She was the youngest of three children. Her brother was Miles and her sister was Shannon. She graduated from Levelland High School in 1961.

Her first date with Beau took place in April 1959, when the two high school sweethearts attended a political event in support of their state representative. She was a sophomore and Beau was a junior. Although Rosemary would graduate a year after their first date as the valedictorian of her class, she lost the high school state debate championship, while her boyfriend led his team to victory. According to Beau, he has not won a debate with her since.

They were married in 1962 in the First Baptist Church of Levelland by Dr. Bill Cook, pastor. That day, en route to their hotel room in Lubbock, Beau’s tire blew out on the highway, but they finally made it to the hotel, thanks to Uncle David (Weaver), who bought them a new set of tires the next day.

At the University of Texas Rosemary graduated, once again, valedictorian of her class, while Beau struggled to pass his classes (especially Russian, Spanish, and algebra). Both finished at UT in 1965. Yet Rosemary followed Beau to Waco for law school at Baylor University, where their first child Rebecca was born.

After law school they moved back to Austin, where Beau served as a briefing attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas.

In 1969 Beau, Rosemary, and Rebecca moved to Lubbock, where Beau practiced law and where Matt was born. Rosemary began to be active in organizations such as Law Wives, the Garden Club, and the Republican Party. At Lubbock Bible Church, minister Charlie Clough had a profound impact on their lives through his preaching and teaching.

In 1974 the family relocated to Amarillo where Libby was born. Rosemary remained active socially and in support of Beau’s career. Marriage was not always easy, but it was always good. As Beau launched his political career, Rosemary was a capable and cheerful leader, working hard side by side with Beau, and always, always encouraging him.

In 1984, when Beau was elected to Congress, the family of five moved to Alexandria, Virginia. That was their home base during Beau’s two terms, but they traveled continually back and forth between DC and Texas.

In 1988 Beau would permanently leave elected office, having lost his bid for the US Senate. Four years later Beau, Rosemary, and Libby moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Beau would reinvent himself, career-wise. Through many dark times, Rosemary was his rock.

In 1994, Rosemary was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, a rare disease that cripples the endocrine system. Consequently she underwent a craniotomy, a procedure which saved her life, but also took its toll on her, as did the disease itself.

The next 24 years, during which her marriage with Beau thrived and they enjoyed many wonderful adventures together, nevertheless saw a gradual decline in her health. One of many ailments, her mobility was greatly impaired.

On December 15, 2018, she was finally liberated from her suffering, after 45 excruciating days in a hospital bed, surrounded by family and the loving Body of Christ (especially the members of the Falls Church Anglican).

In addition to Beau and the children, she is survived by two children in law, George Daugharty, Sr. and Bouquet Boulter, and five grandchildren, Amy Wiley, Catherine Mason, George Daugharty, Jr., Isabella Boulter, and Eleanor Boulter.

She is fully one with Christ, and probably gardening. She will be missed. May she rest in peace, and rise in glory!

In lieu of flowers, please send any charitable donations to:
The Falls Church (Anglican)
6565 Arlington Blvd.
Falls Church, VA 22042

Please make checks payable to either of the following organizations:

– China Aid Association
– The Telos Group”

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