For Rosemary Angel, the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon is a tribute to the woman she never had the chance to meet but whose spirit continues to shine through her family. Rosemary is running in memory of her grandmother, Rosemary Flanagan, who passed away from pancreatic cancer when her mother was just around Rosemary’s age. This race is not only an opportunity for Rosemary to achieve a personal athletic goal but also a chance to raise awareness and funds for a cause that has a reverberating impact decades later.
A Connection Deeper Than A Name
Rosemary, despite never meeting her namesake, feels a strong connection to her grandmother through the stories her mom and uncles have shared. “I can imagine how amazing she was by the way she shines through my mom and her three brothers,” she says.
Her grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1996 and passed away only three months later, a loss that forever impacted her family. ”My mom and her were best friends,” Rosemary reflects. “She had this hole in her heart when she passed.” Her mom would go on to name her daughter after her late mother. “She sees her strength and humor in me,” says Rosemary.
As she reaches the age her mom was when she lost her mom, the weight of that loss has become even more profound. “I can’t help but reflect on how tragic her passing truly was,” she admits. Rosemary sees her grandmother’s memory carried forward not only in her mom but also in herself; she is drawing on her “guardian angel’s” strength as she prepares to take on the challenge of running the NYC Marathon.
Chasing a Dream, Honoring a Legacy
This will be Rosemary’s first marathon, though she’s no stranger to the sport. She ran cross country growing up and completed the Women’s Half Marathon in Central Park last April. “It was two loops of Central Park, which, goodness, the hills. But it was the most magical experience,” she recalls.
The NYC Marathon has been on her bucket list since watching her cousin run it two years ago. “It was really special watching someone I love do it,” she says. “I thought to myself, ‘I have to do this. I have to be part of this someday.’”
“It’s the best city in the world,” Rosemary says of New York. Originally from the South, Rosemary grew up in small towns but made her way to New York City for an internship. She didn’t think she would stay – “I thought, ‘This city is too crazy’” – but after college, she moved to Manhattan and fell in love with everything the city had to offer: the culture, the people, and, of course, the food. “The people here are super, super driven, and that really helps me aspire to do better every single day,” she explains.
Excited to run in her favorite city and achieve this athletic goal, she also knew she wanted to run for a cause. After some research, Rosemary found Project Purple. She felt an immediate connection to the mission, knowing that running in honor of her grandmother would be the perfect way to honor her memory. “Because we share this name, everyone will be yelling for her,” she says.
For Mom, For Rosemary, For a Future Without Pancreatic Cancer
Rosemary knows that the marathon will be an emotional experience for her mom. “Losing her mom changed the whole trajectory of her life,” says Rosemary. “I think this means the world to her,” she continues, knowing how much it will mean to her mom to see her cross the finish line in memory of her own mom.
“I’m not doing this just for me. I’m doing this for a reason,” she emphasizes. With every mile, she’s not just running for herself but for her family, for her grandmother, and for the countless others who have been affected by pancreatic cancer. Through her fundraising efforts, Rosemary hopes to spread awareness, support patients and their families, and contribute to the ultimate goal of finding a cure. “I want to do as much as I can,” she says.
Though the race is months away, Rosemary is already feeling the support of her loved ones. Many of her college friends have already booked flights to New York to cheer her on. The thought of crossing the finish line with her mom in the crowd motivates her. “It’ll be like her mom is there with us, and she’s going to be with me in spirit,” she shares.
A Message to Rosemary
Rosemary’s message to her grandmother is: “Thank you for the legacy of love and life you created, it’s still felt today.” Although she never had the chance to meet her grandmother, Rosemary feels like she knows her through her own mom. “I’m sad I never got to know her, but I’m grateful she raised my mom to be such a light,” she says.
Her grandmother’s spirit has driven her to make a difference. “This happened so long ago, and it just shows how much of an impact this cancer has,” she says. “It has affected generations. I want to do everything possible to find a cure. However, at least I want to get us to a place where it’s diagnosed earlier. My grandmother was perfectly healthy, and then she was gone so soon. She should still be here.”
Rosemary’s journey to the New York City Marathon is about honoring her grandmother’s memory, supporting the fight against pancreatic cancer, and showing that even in grief, love endures across generations.
To support Rosemary and her fundraising goals, click here to donate to her page.
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
