Historical March 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
I first got to know Rosemarie Storey several springs ago on a walk to raise money for services for those suffering from AIDS in St. Louis.
I was initially struck by her incredible energy and her optimism.
These characteristics never seem to change. Rose is invariably able to look for the best possible interpretation of events and for the good in everyone.
This may be in part due to her deep faith or to the fact that she successfully reared 8 children and now has 14 grandchildren. Rose married George Storey in 1954.
A year later, they moved to Skinker DeBaliviere.
In 1962, they acquired their present home at 57xx Waterman.
They both liked the convenience of the area for a large family.
There was transportation, schools, the park, and Rose loved the diversity of the people here. Forest Park was important to them for its recreational and cultural attractions. George is an avid golfer.
The park also provided many entertainment opportunities.
The family attended every MUNY performance, bringing the kids to sit in the free section. Their treats were candy bars one week or popcorn the next.
A neighbor with three children of her own joined in the excursions.
To this day, the Storeys and several of their children have series subscriptions each year.
The children also visited the History Museum frequently each summer, enjoying the various educational programs.
There were also outings with kids in wagon and stroller to the Art Museum and sometimes the Zoo. St. Roch’s Church and Msgr. Robert Peet, formerly of St. Roch’s, have been the cornerstone for the family. George coached baseball, softball, and soccer teams for the church and Rose took over if George couldn’t make it.
As soon as the youngest child was school age, Rose returned to work.
She began with political marketing but shortly obtained a position in the credit department at St. Mary’s Hospital where she soon became the assistant manager.
In September 1978, the governor appointed her Clerk of the Court of Criminal Corrections.
She was the first woman to hold this post.
In 1979, this office was merged into the Circuit Court and she became financial manager there.
In October of 1983, she was hired away by the Collector of Revenue to head the Earnings Tax Division.
She continues there today and assiduously attempts to collect every penny lawfully owed to the city.
She supervises a staff of over 70 employees.
Her firm ways and her fair manner, plus her wonderful sense of humor, make her a very popular boss. Just don’t forget to pay that earnings tax.
The Storeys have been active in politics for a long time. George served as 28th Ward Democratic Committeeman for 16 years. He’s currently an Airport Commissioner. Rose and the children assisted in all of George’s campaigns.
Now she’s the elected official.
She became Committeewoman several years ago by appointment and was successfully elected in her own right in the August 1992 Democratic primary.
She is, of course, very active in the 28th Ward Regular Democratic Club.
I sometimes wonder how Rose does it between family, church, work, politics, and other neighborhood activities! (She’s always a big help to The Times.) Six of her children and 11 of the grandchildren live in this area and something is always going on. But, as neighbor and coworker Sam Green once said, “Rose is incredible.
She can be involved in events all weekend and still find time to bring in homemade chili for her staff on Monday.” She can keep track of all sorts of details and juggle that schedule better than most. And she is effective. Many feel that she has played an important role in Skinker DeBaliviere. Jack Wright, who has known Rose for almost 30 years, called her an anchor. “She has always been a strong leader, whether she’s in politics or not. She’s a true leader; she goes about it quietly and professionally. She’s never changed, always the same Rose.” Jack particularly remembers the flower sales she had on her front porch every Mother’s Day to raise money for neighborhood activities and her work at St. Roch’s Rose thoroughly enjoys Skinker DeBaliviere today.
She says “it’s absolutely wonderful.
I feel free to walk everywhere.” She points out the council and the churches hold the community together.
She further notes that “There is a unity among people who have stayed and there’s still the convenience.” It’s good having Rose Storey as a neighbor and as a friend.
Original photograph caption
Rosemarie Storey. Photo by King Schoenfeld.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_03.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 5.
