Rose Catherine Smith Vrba

Rose Catherine Smith Vrba Rose Catherine Smith Vrba, born September 24, 1912, in Octavia, Nebraska to Henry and Antoinette Smith, died in Austin, Texas, September 20, 2003, four days before her 91st birthday. Giving to others has been the focus of her life. Teaching in a one room school house in Nebraska, she nourished children, kindergarten through eighth grade. She married Rudolph Vrba, June 15, 1936, and together they raised six children in Schuyler, Nebraska. Rose enriched her community through leadership in The Volunteer Fireman’s Auxiliary, PTA, 4-H, Meals on Wheels and Town and Country, a fashion apparel store she created at age 55 to serve the eight surrounding communities for 14 years. In 1980 Rose moved to Austin, Texas, where she immediately became active in St. Louis Catholic Church. She taught bible study, served on the Parish Council; worked in their food pantry, school library, Loaves and Fishes, and was active in the senior citizen groups. Her helping hand reached others through the Ladies of Charity, Marywood, Caritas Food Pantry, and the Austin Center of Attitudinal Healing. She was a faithful member of DCCW and Catholic Women’s Study Club. Rose Vrba, one of seven children, is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rudolph; sisters, Clare and Margaret; and brother, Ray. She is survived by siblings, Larry, Gene, and Sister Lucile; her six children, Mary Wagner Clark and George Vrba of Austin, TX; Clare Spiegelglass and husband, Stephen, of Coral Springs, FL; Larry Vrba of New York; David Vrba and wife, Dena of Dublin, CA; and Barbara Pray and husband, Tony, of Littleton, CO. She will also be missed by her seven grandchildren, Michelle, Kathy, Richard, Jeff, Anne, Melissa and Jill; and eight great-grandchildren, William, Matthew, Ashley, Melanie, Christopher, Amanda Rose, Alexis, and Jaxson. A Memorial service and celebration of her life will be Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road. A light lunch will be served in the parish hall by her bible study and senior friends following the Mass. A Rosary will be said Monday evening, 7:30 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, 452-8811. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 6248, Austin, TX 78762 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 – (512) 452-8811 You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com