Rose Davidson Bibuld

In her youth she moved between Jamaica West Indies, the land of her parents, and Cuba, attending Saint Simons college in Jamaica. In her early twenties, she began her quintessentially Caribbean-American immigrant life in Boston, joining her older sister Mildred and soon to be joined by her younger sister, Joyce.

She lived as a woman of purpose and principle with strong opinions and an even stronger commitment to the people and things she loved. These included her only daughter; her beloved sisters and extended family; her many friends and neighbors, and all (or most) living things, animal and plant. She received numerous awards from the city of New York for spearheading her Cambria Heights community garden and other civic passion projects. She was an active and devoted supporter of the ASPCA and Humane Society, and a lover of and advocate for birds, cats, dogs, and even the odd rogue squirrel.

She worked in accounting for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Queens for nearly two decades, and, ever driven, continued to do hospital work part-time after retirement because she loved being around and helping people.

She danced to the beat of her own drum. A petite and refined woman, she was nonetheless a frequent and accomplished wielder of power tools; a person who painted her own house; an avid and talented furniture collector and restorer; a generous baker and incredible cook; a lover of sports, especially tennis and the Williams sisters; an abundant gardener; and MSNBC’s and Rachel Maddow’s #1 fan.

To the end, Rose’s indomitable spirit shone through. Less than two weeks before passing she was singing to Celia Cruz and ambling around with her brightly-colored walker. She laughed easily and often, engaging with old and new friends. In all, she lived a rich and rewarding life of amazing experiences, and acts of love and charity too many to recount.

Rose leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Audrey Steele, her dear sister Joyce Mehala, honorary son Mark Williams, many nieces and nephews, and loving friends such as Mark Reed, Mary Burton, and Mona Reed, who became family.

A visitation for Rose will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at R. Stutzmann & Son, 224-39 Jamaica Ave, Queens Village, NY 11428. There will be a short visitation on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM and the funeral service from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the funeral home. The burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, 2030 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735.