Roseann King

Roseann showed us that death can be beautiful amidst the suffering. Cancer took over her body, perhaps for the sake of her soul and the soul of others. Roseann passed during holy hour (as she told us she would) with her husband and children kneeling at her bedside, reciting the sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. While we the family were convinced she could no longer speak, her last word was “Amen”. Together in prayer and in a state of grace, she peacefully surrendered her body and soul to the Father. She did indeed receive the happy death we had prayed for.

 Roseann dedicated her life to her husband and family, the Catholic Church and her design work. Roseann did it all - designed commercial buildings and residential homes, operated power tools, grew and processed acres of garden produce, created stunning one-of-a-kind wedding dresses, produced a myriad of floral arrangements, and labored alongside her husband, Percy, to raise their family and build a consulting and design business. She would tell you she did all of this using her God-given gifts - which she turned into a life of service to others.

 Everyone she met was made to feel special and she embraced strangers who needed to know they weren’t invisible. She never left a restaurant without knowing the server’s name - and how to spell it. Beyond Percy, her family, and her church, she loved: microwave popcorn, crème de menthe, coffee with Bailey’s Irish Crème for breakfast, and especially cheesecake! 

 Roseann was the third of 10 children born to Louis and Eleanora Dombowsky on a farm at Briercrest, Sask. The family moved to Marquis, Sask. in the early 60’s, where she was guided in the faith by her parents. Their sacrifice and dedication to the church and family gave her strong roots and enabled her to find her own rewarding path through life. 

 When she was in Grade 10, she began bussing to high school at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw. It was there she met Keith Percy King. In 1974, on the merry-go-round at the Calgary Stampede, he asked her to marry him. She didn’t bite the first time, but later “came to her senses”.

After design school for Roseann, and an art/education degrees for Percy, they were married December 30, 1977 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moose Jaw. Roseann joked that Percy was able to claim her as a tax deduction for the whole year having only been married one day.

Before starting their family, Roseann worked for Regina architects Arnott, McPhail, Johnstone. In 1979, she and Percy decided to make their home in Moose Jaw, where the first of their five children was born. The same year, they formed Contemporary Art and Design, a company they operated together until Roseann’s passing. 

The offer of a full-time teaching position for Percy in Hudson Bay, Sask. prompted a move in 1986 with their family of seven. Their new home there was designed by Roseann and built by Percy and her brother, Joe. 

 Following Percy’s retirement in 2014, they made their final move to a St. Brieux acreage. After living in a converted school bus and an ice shack on the land, they moved into their breath-taking new home, designed by Roseann. It is a work in progress, with Roseann planning every detail and Percy continuing to execute the plan. 

 Roseann’s five children have all been heavily influenced by her creative talent and dedication to church and family. They are each engaged in artistic and design work and lead strong faith-filled lives.

 She is survived by Percy, her husband and loving partner of 47 years, and their immediate family: Jocelyn (Tyson) Chillog, Abby (James) Schnaider, Heather (Shaun) Fiolleau, Jonathan (Gisele) King and Rebecca (Sam) Farthing. She also leaves 30 Grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

 Her nine surviving brothers and sisters are: Marie & Rick Morin, David & Joan Dombowsky, Helen & Richard Ingold, Michael & Debby Dombowsky, Bernie & Charlotte Dombowsky, Joe & Shirley Dombowsky, Ben & Shelly Dombowsky, Theresa & Glen Rodrigue, and Louise & Rod Hart. Roseann would have a list of people she cherished, but would especially want to acknowledge her lifelong friend, Lois Froehlich (Punga) who has travelled through life with her since Grade 2.

 Roseann’s funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Wednesday Oct. 23rd, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Martensville, with a prayer vigil Oct 22nd, at 7pm. Please join us in praying her into Heaven and celebrating her beautiful life and passing.