Mrs Rose M. Connelly's Obituary
Rose was the Mother of Terry and Martina, Grandmother of Amanda, Elizabeth and the late Shannon.
Rose was born in Rockwood, Tennessee on February 27, 1926 to Samuel and Amanda Grasham. She was their eleventh child. She passed on August 19, 2013 of natural causes.
Rose grew up in Rome Georgia, where her father worked for the Rayon Plant. The plant had a great community center for the employee’s families and Rose especially loved the swimming pool. She was a girl scout, bowled on the Rayon Plant team and played basketball all through school. She even coached basketball in High School.
Rose went to Business College after High School and moved to Youngstown, Ohio where one of her sisters lived and was employed by US Steel. She had not even received a paycheck when she was called into the office only to be told they were giving her a raise.
She joined the Youngstown Business Women’s Association and the Baptist Church while in Ohio. It was while living in Ohio that she met Jimmy, the love of her life, and a year later they married on May 15, 1948.
After Jimmy and Rose were married, Rose didn't work much as Terry arrived in November of 1949 and Martina arrived in December of 1954. Rose was a busy stay at home mom. Rose was proud of her daughters and their accomplishments and encouraged them to reach for the stars.
In 1954 the family moved to California. They stayed in San Bernardino because Rose’s brother lived here. Jimmy had a job in San Diego but when he met with General Dynamics, they really wanted a personnel director and he was a public relations director. So they stayed in San Bernardino. Rose went for an interview at General Telephone Company and went to work the next day. She used to tell people, “She felt like a visitor who came to California, liked it and stayed for thirty years.”
Terry married John Merkel and Martina married Jack Hooven. Both men were welcomed into the family as her sons and Rose was proud of the wonderful men that they are.
She retired in 1989. After Rose retired, she traveled to Europe with her 80 year-old sister to see the passion play and toured England, France, Austria and Germany. Rose and Jimmy were always on the go, Ronald Reagan’s Inauguration, Annual Army Reunions, Family Reunions, Shows, Trips to Laughlin, Dinners for Congressmen, Dinners for the Sheriff and Fundraising Events for Churches and so on.
When Jimmy died in December 2003, Rose was lost having been married for 55 years and devoting the last 5 years to his care. In January 2004, Terry found Fluffy a stray cockapoo, who became Rose’s “lifesaver” and new faithful companion.
Terry and Rose went to the first bereavement group that Norm Kidd directed at Bobbitt Chapel. Rose made so many good friends through the bereavement group.
Rose continued to make a new life for herself keeping busy with her family, garden, poker and bunco at the Highland Senior Center and also made several new friends at the Elks Club.
Rose had some health problems but always bounced back saying that God had a reason for her being and she lived her life trying to fulfill his plan.
Rose made a difference in the essence of those she met. Maybe she made you smile, she lent you a listening ear, she offered a Kleenex for a tear, but she always opened her heart. She respected, appreciated, and loved the people in her life. I am glad I have known Rose as my life has been enhanced from our love and friendship and especially the great stories she told.
Do what makes you
HAPPY
Be with who makes you
SMILE
Laugh as much as you
BREATHE
Love as long as you
LIVE
Rose did
What’s your fondest memory of Rose?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rose?
Share a story where Rose's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rose you’ll never forget.
How did Rose make you smile?
