SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio business icon Rosemary Kowalski, named the 2025 Texas Cavalier’s River Parade’s grand marshal last week, has died at the age of 100.
Kowalski passed away Tuesday following a brief illness, the RK Group and Kowalski family announced. She died while surrounded by family.
Rosemary Kowalski‘s life
Kowalski grew up on the South Side, attending Blessed Sacrament Academy and later continuing her studies by training to become a comptometer operator, according to a news release.
“Several years later, she met Hank, a WWII pilot whom she married in 1944. Post-war, the couple used Hank’s military mustering-out pay to purchase Uncle Ben’s BBQ in the city’s westside,” the news release said.
She founded RK Group, a hospitality and culinary service, as a young woman with her husband as a young couple with no prior experience. This expanded into a successful business that has lasted over 70 years, including a contract with the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
“Rosemary’s contributions to the hospitality industry and her philanthropic service to countless community and nonprofit organizations has been vast, with her hands-on, ‘can-do’ approach that characterized both her professional and her personal life,” the news release said. “An inductee of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, she was also a Grande Dame and founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, former Grand Marshal for the Battle of Flowers Parade, and first-ever recipient of the Visionary Award, Morgan’s among many other achievements.”
KSAT spoke with Kowalski when she celebrated her 70th anniversary of service in 2016 at the age of 92.
She told KSAT her favorite experiences included serving Pope John Paul II his meals when he visited the Alamo City in 1987.
“I feel like you can do anything and everything if you work, say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ That’s all you need, is those three words,” she told KSAT.
Kowalski is survived by her daughter Mary Virginia and husband John Carrington; son Greg William and wife Bekki; their son and Rosemary’s grandson Travis, and wife Jamie (children Colton and Tessa); and their daughter and Rosemary’s granddaughter Jennifer, with her husband Todd Heinz (children Wyatt and Hadley). Rosemary Kowalski‘s husband, Henry “Hank,” died in 1980.
“Rosemary’s legacy is the gift of joy and kindness that she gave to the world. She extended that generous spirit to anyone she met,” said Greg Kowalski, president and CEO of The RK Group. “Our family has been blessed to have her in our lives for so many years. And we know that her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
Information about a memorial tribute will be announced at a later date. The funeral services will be private, according to the family.
San Antonians react to news about death of Rosemary Kowalski
Ceslie Armstrong, CEO of Women in Film & Television Texas and executive producer of The Celestial Awards, released the following statement:
“I’ve known and been inspired by Rosemary Kowalski for decades. I was introduced to her by another original San Antonio trailblazing leader: Mayor Lila Cockrell. Her inspiring leadership as a woman who built a major business that continues to thrive in her image sets the bar high for women everywhere to follow in her footsteps no matter their chosen profession.
“I am so thrilled that Rosemary experienced a rousing standing ovation at The Celestial Awards™ where I serve as executive producer for Women in Film & Television Texas. We named the inaugural award for Excellence in Culinary Arts & Hospitality ‘The Rosemary’ and she told me what a thrill it was to be honored. We have lost a true icon. I’m heartbroken but also happy that her legacy will continue through her charitable giving, leadership ethos, and kindness. May her memory be a blessing."
The Tobin Center released the following statement:
The Celestial Awards in November was a landmark event for Women in Film and Television Texas underscoring our commitment to empowering and recognizing the outstanding achievements of women who are shaping the future of our industry. The introduction of “The Rosemary” award, named after our beloved Rosemary Kowalski, further cements our dedication to recognizing legacy and excellence in our field. Rosemary’s contributions to culinary arts and hospitality are inspiring and we have lost in incredible icon,” said Callie Hoch, founding Commissioner of Women in Film & Television Texas and co-producer of The Celestial Awards.
Diana Barrios Trevino of Los Barrios Enterprises and Restaurants issued the following statement:
“The beautiful and kind Rosemary Kowalski was a friend to all as was evident in all her philanthropic efforts! I was fortunate to work next to her as we raised money for Hope For The Future as well as Les Dames d’Escoffier! I’m so blessed to have received The Rosemary Award at The Celestial Awards in November.
Chef Andrew Weissman, who presented “The Rosemary” Award for Excellence in Culinary Arts & Hospitality to Diana Barrios Trevino at The Celestial Awards presented by Women in Film & Television Texas, issued the following statement:
“Family, friends and the city at large experienced a tremendous loss today with the passing of Rosemary Kolwaski. Her contributions not only to family and friends but to the culinary world at large was seismic. She will be missed terribly. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.”
