Rosemary Kothe’s love for poetry was that of a woman whose adoration for words was, at the very least, inspired by decades of teaching small children the basics of reading. Her love of the Buffalo literary community was much the same. A retired elementary school teacher, Rosemary produced her own poetry readings, facilitated the publications of anthologies of local writers and built bridges with local literary artists across the border in Canada.

Her readings, produced with the help of her humble and charming husband Bill, brilliantly broke the stereotypes of the classic formal, stodgy read, sometimes incorporating artful video, film, choral poems, monologues, hip-hop, performance poets, poetic duets, live music and the always anticipated “refreshments” unveiled halfway through­—where punch, deviled eggs, brownies and platters of cheese were lovingly offered to a hungry and sometimes sensory-overloaded audience.

Of Rosemary’s many gifts, most important possibly, was her nurturing belief that everyone she met was a poet with some hidden book of pain, introspection or love that should be shared. I watched countless times as Rosemary was introduced to newcomers, guests, friends or family of scheduled readers, and politely asked, “Did you bring something to read?” Sometimes long, sometimes joyful, sometimes surreal, her open readings gathered an eclectic mix of personalities that made for an interesting dynamic in itself. I know for a fact that a few of us were inspired to write new work just by being in attendance.

As a writer herself, Rosemary’s wonderment extended not only from her nurturing but also from her own knowledge of the power of well-placed words, and from the wealth of literary talent in Western New York. I would sometimes sit in the back listening to the poetry and watching Rosemary’s glee at every experienced writer’s beautiful turn of phrase, a new comer’s surprisingly effective literary moment and every novice’s courage to walk to the podium.

In her final years, Rosemary seemed to fight a number of chronic health issues with the vigilance and stubbornness of a writer with only a few more chapters to write. She belied the pain of walking the long hallways of the Tri-Main offices of Just Buffalo Literary Center to volunteer her time, and she continued to produce her readings at the Screening Room and Impact Gallery, among others. I met Rosemary in my time as marketing director of Just Buffalo, and it was Rosemary who coaxed me slowly but firmly from behind my desk, the theatrical complexity of my own performance art and the well-rehearsed stages of a playwright’s words, to simply walk to that podium—with its precariously balanced reading light—and pull out my hidden book of poems and simply read them aloud. For this, I am eternally grateful.

“Celebrating Rosemary Kothe,” a remembrance celebration and open reading, hosted by her husband William Kothe and Robb Nesbitt, will take place this Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Screening Room Café.