Rosalie Marion White Jarvis

Rosalie Frances Marion (White) Jarvis was born on May 3, 1940, in Montreal, Canada. Her parents, Rose Anna and Charles White, ran a boarding house while young Rosalie spent her time snow skiing, ice skating, and making friends. She moved to New York City with her family in 1951. There, she excelled at school, dancing and singing. Frank Sinatra and Elvis were her favorite singers. She loved live theatre, dreamed of being a Radio City Rockette, and after discovering the silver screen, she dreamed of Cary Grant. She was fond of mystery novels and found great happiness with her soon-to-be lifelong friends, Sylvia and Florence. Rosalie graduated early from high school and attended secretarial school where she developed a talent for organization and record keeping.

On a blind date in 1957, she met Lewis Jarvis. She said he looked like the Cary Grant of her dreams, and they married on December 13, 1958, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in College Point, New York. A year later—still in New York—her daughter Debbie was born. Lewis was in the U.S. military, however, so they did not stay there for long after Debbie’s arrival. The needs of the Air Force soon led them through a variety of assignments: In Panama City, Florida, her son Steven was born. In Tripoli, Libya, she rode camels, learned to square dance, and played in the Mediterranean Sea. In wintery Madison, Wisconsin, she learned to shovel snow and get the kids to school in a blizzard. In Oxnard and later Sacramento, California, she worked as an executive secretary in the Aerospace and Printing Industries.

Rosalie was an avid participant in community theater where she sang and acted in numerous musicals to include the Mikado, the Sound of Music, and Oliver. Debbie and Steven went along, but although Lewis was an accomplished singer of classics such as Tweedle O’Twill and Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah, he was never invited to sing on stage. In 1972, Rosalie and family retired from the nomadic Air Force life and moved to Tennessee where she learned to love moon flowers and wildlife watching from her back porch.

Throughout her adult life, Rosalie developed and practiced skills as a religious educator. She worked diligently in the Catholic Church, helping others to realize the love and salvation that can be found through Jesus Christ. She sang soprano in the church choir with her trained voice and often was asked to sing solos at wedding and funerals. Her favorite song was the “Ave Maria.” Rosalie was a lay eucharistic minister, and she obtained a religious degree so she could better assist clergy, fellow parishioners, and candidates for Christian conversion. She taught many classes where her belief in Christ always provided great support and comfort for herself and others.

Rosalie found great joy in following the accomplishments of her 2 children, 3 grandchildren 6 great grandchildren, and their spouses: Debbie, Steven, Charlie, Chloe, Mac, Katie, Josh, Jay, Lucca, Siena, Jack, Jan, Mandy, Kenny and Jenn are all part of her legacy.

In her final years, Rosalie had one last adventure, a move to Las Vegas with her family; She met many new friends in Las Vegas and they filled her life with laughter and fun. She continued to share her belief in God, finding time to minister to others even while her own health declined.

Rosalie will be forever loved and remembered with love and kindness for her love of God, her love of life, and her love of people.