(Sept 15, 1931 – Feb 2, 2023)
It is with saddened hearts that we share news of the passing of our beloved Rose, Mom, and Mémé. Like so many other times in her life, she was surrounded by her adoring family who sent her to heaven with expressions of gratitude and love.
Rose had an adventurous spirit from a young age. She left her small hometown of River Canard, Ontario at the age of 21 to travel and work in Jamaica. As it turns out, this was only the beginning of her world travels. In 1964, Norm and Rose moved to Geneva, Switzerland with their five boys who ranged in age from 5 weeks to 8 years. Their next move was to Sydney, Australia then on to Cape Town and Pretoria in South Africa before settling in Paris, France when the boys were teenagers. Any opportunity for a home leave was quickly organized into a travel trip where Norm and Rose would take their five sons to Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Their last move was to the US where all five boys graduated from the University of Michigan.
She was fun loving, the life of any party, enjoyed her scotch, and loved playing the piano. She hated to miss anything and so, was always the last one up at night and the first one up in the morning! She was an incredible cook and shared their dining room table with hundreds of welcomed visitors over the years. She was Rose to so many but Mémé to even more. Other names she was affectionately known as were Rosie, Dammit Rose, Goose, and Poltergoose (the nickname given by Joe and Dan for the times she would swoop downstairs in her white nightgown to shoo them and their friends off to bed at 3 am during their university years).
Rose was best known for her incredible capacity to love and care for others and her ability to engage anyone in an interesting and fun conversation. She had a gift for making everyone feel special and she was genuinely interested in listening to how other people lived their lives. Norm and Rose had a multitude of friends from all over the world and were well-known to be the best hosts ever to anyone and everyone who were graciously invited into their beautiful homes which were always meticulously kept. Rose surrounded everyone with unforgettable warmth. Norm and Rose taught us so much about entertaining, how to treat people, and how to live a full, happy, and well-loved life!
Rose was most proud of the five sons she raised into fine gentlemen. Norm and Rose taught their boys to be kind and generous, to work hard, and to enjoy the finer things in life. They centered family in everything they did and raised their sons to be loving, caring, and compassionate. Rose had a strong faith in her Lord, and we know she rests now in heaven among the angels.
Rose is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, Norman, her five boys, (Mike, Jim, Bob, Joe, and Dan) and five daughter-in-laws, (Suzanne, Carolann, Lisa, Marcia, and Kate), to whom she is also "Mom". Rose is the beloved and adored Mémé to 17 grandchildren and Great-Mémé to 22 (and counting) great-grandchildren. She is the sister of Yvonne Bondy and Luke Paré and was pre-deceased by her grandson Matthew, her sister Margaret and brother Lawrence, as well as her parents, Armand and Louise Paré. She was a beloved aunt and cousin in the large and loving extended Paré and Malenfant families.
We will never forget her immense presence in our lives and her extra-large family will continue her legacy as best as we can and for as long as we can. A Catholic memorial mass in Maumee, Ohio is being arranged for this upcoming summer, and arrangements for interment in River Canard, Ontario will be made in the future. The family would appreciate that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati (https://www.rmhcincinnati.org/) which has been a wonderful support for our family.
Rest in peace Mom, Mémé, Rose. We will miss you forever.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17