A life well lived

by J. Patrick Reilly

Every community is shaped not only by its buildings and institutions, but by the people who commit themselves to the common good.  One person who has done this well is Rosann Myers who lost her battle with cancer January 1.  I learned of her battle when her husband, Barneveld girls basketball coach Jim Myers, took some games off to care for her.

It goes without saying that Jim and Rosann are good people.  All the good adjectives out there to describe good people could go to them.  To know them is to love them.

Rosann was a respected and beloved teacher for 43 years. She was also a fixture in the gym when Jim was coaching and when her son, Matt was playing.  She was also known to have scouted a few games for her Eagles.

As a proud graduate of Pecatonica she also spent time at the baseball field watching her brother, Jim, coach and was a keynote speaker at the dedication last Fathers Day of Jim Strommen Field.

She was one of those people who made you feel important when you encountered her in the gym, at the school or on the street.  

As said before, to know her was to love her.  Her impact will  not be measured in headlines or grand gestures, but in consistency, integrity, and service. 

What set Rosann apart was not just what she did, but how she did it.  She listened more than she spoke. She led without seeking recognition. She treated people with respect regardless of background or belief. In an era too often marked by division and self-interest, her example reminded us of the power of decency.

As we grieve, we also give thanks for the time that was shared, for the work she accomplished, and for the example she left behind.  Her legacy will continue in the lives she touched and the paths she helped shape.

Some losses cannot be replaced but they can inspire.  No question that she inspired us all.