Friday, March 21, 2025
Longtime Long Beach community member Rosemary Miley Wagner celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month. Family, community involvement and enduring connections have helped shape Wagner’s life so far.
“Who would have thought back in our early days in the Bronx that the two of us would be together as you head into triple digits,” Wagner’s sister, Virginia Kilduff, said. “I think of all that we have witnessed in our lives from listening to our radio shows to now reading and texting on our iPads, sharing our many milestones, both good and bad. We are blessed to have our children and grandchildren and celebrate our many great-grandchildren together. There isn’t anyone else I’d rather share my life with than my best friend and big sister Rosemary.”
Born and raised in the Bronx, Wagner contributed to the World War II effort as a New York Telephone switchboard operator before eventually settling in Long Beach with her husband, John, in 1975.
Both joy and heartbreak have shaped a devoted mother of six, Wagner’s life. Her oldest son, William, died while serving in Vietnam in 1968, a loss that deeply impacted her and led to her becoming a familiar sight at the head of the Long Beach Memorial Day parade as the Grand Marshall, representing Gold Star families. Two years ago, she endured the death of her son Richard, a Long Beach lifeguard, after his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.
Wagner’s presence in the Long Beach community extends far beyond her family. She was a member of St. Ignatius Martyr Church, where she lent her voice to the choir for years, she also participated in the Mother’s Club and Catholic Daughters. With 14 grandchildren and a soon-to-be 12th great-grandchild, she is the cornerstone of a large and loving family.
Wagner, a beach-loving, porch-sitting, Giants-supporting centenarian, has been a source of inspiration through her resilience, infectious joy and unconditional love. Her impact has touched three generations, all of which she and her husband of 62 years began building together in 1946.
“Rosemary may be 100 years old, but no one would ever guess it,” Wagner’s granddaughter, Erica O’Rourke, said. “She is witty, tech-savvy, and energetic. She loves reading on her Kindle, tackling crossword puzzles, and cheering on her grandchildren’s sports through YouTube. She is continually learning, growing, and embracing new adventures.
To know Rosemary Wagner is to be blessed,” she continued. “She is a rare soul, leaving lasting impressions on everyone she meets. Her kindness, strength and love are felt by all who have had the privilege to know her. And if you want to learn the secret of longevity, meet her up on the boardwalk as she can be found there on most weekends — even in the winter.”
Her influence reaches beyond her family, leaving a lasting impact on the Long Beach community. Whether leading the Memorial Day Parade, sharing her voice in song or spending time doing her favorite activities, she has become a familiar and cherished presence in the city she calls home.
