Friends continue poet’s legacy of support for arts and culture

A champion of local arts and culture, Rosemary Catacalos left a vast legacy across San Antonio and, indeed, across the country throughout her 78 years. Recently, two friends ensured that her advocacy will continue to support young lives—now and long into the future—through the memorial fund created in her name with the San Antonio Area Foundation.

A remarkable poet raised on San Antonio’s East Side, Rosemary was the first Latina to serve as Texas Poet Laureate (2013–2014). She also served her local community as executive director of San Antonio-based writing center Gemini Ink, with a special interest in expanding the Writers in Communities program, including working with incarcerated youth. Additionally, she was a member of the city’s Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee.

It was at those committee meetings that Mike Greenberg, a former arts writer for the San Antonio Express-News, first met Rosemary. “It was very clear to me that Rosemary [knew] what she was doing,” he said. “When I [first read her poetry], I realized she’s really extraordinary.”

After she passed away in 2022, Mike and one of Rosemary’s dearest friends, Betsy Schultz, established a memorial fund to support the causes she cared about most, especially the literary arts for children and youth.

“I’m hoping that this fund will continue the charitable interests that Rosemary had,” Mike said.

In fact, Rosemary’s attention to strengthening arts and culture, particularly in young people, align with two of the Area Foundation’s primary grant-making areas, Cultural Vibrancy and Youth Success.

The foundation’s Cultural Vibrancy grants support organizations and programs that reflect the history and cultural diversity of San Antonio, encouraging broad participation in education, advocacy, and community collaboration. By funding Youth Success grants, the Area Foundation supports equitable youth achievement. These grants assist organizations and programs that promote educational and social-emotional success, shrink opportunity gaps by addressing racial and economic disparities, and foster leadership and autonomy in young people.

Admirers of Rosemary’s poetry often encountered these subjects in her writing. During her lifetime, she published three collections of poems, and another has been published posthumously. Her poems frequently confronted social justice issues, showing particular concern for oppressed, disadvantaged, and marginalized people.

“I’m hoping that the fund and the foundation will have a long-term legacy where there will be a place for Rose and her passions to continue to feed people with knowledge and abilities,” said Betsy, who immediately clicked with Rosemary when they met through a mutual friend years ago. “I believe any donor who is looking for a source or a place to participate in, I can’t think of another organization that can support this city as much as the Area Foundation does.”

A memorial fund created with the Area Foundation brings family, friends, and the community together with one focus—honoring someone special with an enduring legacy. Supporting the causes that mattered most to that special person gives purpose and meaning to charitable gifts. Any type of fund can become a memorial fund, and an Area Foundation philanthropic advisor can assist in selecting the type of fund that will evoke the fondest memories of the person you celebrate.