Harriet Calfee Rose

She was born on May 25, 1946, in Clarksburg, WV. At a young age, she and her family moved to Tampa, FL, where Harriet excelled at playing the piano and competitive horse riding and in water skiing as a member of the Tampa Ski-bees. She was the eldest of four, and went on to graduate from King High School. She moved to Jacksonville to study at Jacksonville General Hospital’s School of X-Ray Technology, where she met a handsome young Army veteran, Robert Roscoe Rose Sr., who had recently returned from serving in Vietnam. They were married in less than a year on September 9, 1967.

They were proud residents of Jacksonville, living in the San Jose neighborhood for most of their marriage. Their three children Emily, Robert, and John were born in Jacksonville. From the early days of their fifty-six years of marriage, Harriet worked side-by-side with her husband building a successful new home construction business. She supported her church, Lakewood Methodist, and was active in various charitable organizations, including the restoration of Old St. Andrews and The Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society where she served as a teacher, mentor, board member, and president.

Among the greatest joys of her life were her family and friends, with whom she enjoyed entertaining and traveling. Harriet loved to entertain and always had room for more at her table. Every holiday dinner included guests who were friends and family – because to Harriet, all her friends were family. Harriet will be remembered for her gentle kindness and love of people. To Harriet, everyone was worth knowing.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Carlton Crawford Calfee Jr.

She is survived by the love of her life and husband; her children Emily Ley Rose, Robert Roscoe Rose Jr., and John Crawford Rose Sr. (Krista); four grandchildren, Robert Roscoe Rose III, Katherine Taylor Rose, John Crawford Rose Jr., and Cole Smith Rose; her siblings Amy Lynn Calfee, and John Parker Calfee (Laurie); and her nieces, Carlee Celeste Calfee, Elizabeth Parsons Calfee, and Claire Parker Calfee.

Her celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, at Old St. Andrews, 317 A.P. Randolph St., Jacksonville, FL 32202, led by Pastor Garry Broward of Baymeadows Baptist Church. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.