Rosemary DeHoog

Rosemary Luther DeHoog, 79, of DeWitt, New York passed away peacefully on October 25 with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Rosemary was born on March 27, 1939 in Muskegon, MI to Edythe & Frederic Luther. She attended Muskegon High School and Kalamazoo College where she majored in history with minors in physical education and French. She was a four time WMIAA Singles Tennis Champion and continued to pursue her career in tennis throughout her life. After college she completed a physical education major and taught at high schools and colleges in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania before making Central New York her home.

Rosemary taught tennis to generations of families and was a respected member of the tennis community. In 1972 she started as a tennis professional at Wolf Hollow Racquet Club, which eventually became Drumlins Tennis Club. There she became Head Tennis Professional and an Adjunct Professor for Syracuse University. Rosemary was a certified USPTA Master Professional, becoming the first woman in the Eastern Division and 13th nationally to achieve this distinction. She also coached the Women's Tennis team at LeMoyne College and served as a tennis official.

Of her many awards, her favorites include Syracuse Post Standard Woman of Achievement in Sports, being a Charter Inductee of the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame, and the USPTA Eastern Division honoring her with the Tex Schwab Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as later inducting her into their Hall of Fame. Most recently her hometown recognized her with induction into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame. Earlier this year Syracuse University and her adopted hometown's beloved tennis community renamed Court One at Drumlins Tennis Club in her honor. It is now The Rosemary DeHoog Court.

Rosemary was a member of the University United Methodist Church. She was a lover of the arts and especially supported symphony, dance and opera wherever she went. Rosemary loved driving her Miata convertible "topless" and was a founding member and Vice President of the Midstate Miata Club of NY.

Rosemary is survived by daughter Stephanie Gale of Port Townsend WA, granddaughters Cecilia & Ismay, son Victor DeHoog (Pamela), grandchildren Joshua & Olivia. She is also survived by sister Rosellen Brewer of Pacific Grove CA and brother Lynn Luther of Swartz Creek MI. She is remembered for her many contributions to her community, friends, neighborhood and church.

A service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, November 3rd at University United Methodist Church. Later at 5pm there will be a Life Celebration at Drumlins Tennis Club.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Central New York Tennis Association and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.