When I was very young my family lived at South 12th and Madison in Tacoma, WA.  Rose Goucher was my best friend. I spent many days at the Goucher home only a couple blocks away visiting with Rose, her parents, and busy siblings all around, an enjoyable time! (They even had a TV and it was the first one I ever saw which made another lasting memory!)  After my parents moved to the north end of Tacoma when I was 7 (where my 94 year old mother still lives), of course, after moving,  it was difficult to stay in contact between children in those days.  I had no idea Rose had eventually moved to Oahu until my mother gave me a copy of her obit recently.  I had married a man from Maui (Alan) and although we never lived there permanently, we traveled to Maui (and Oahu) quite often and stayed in my husband's home.  I recently had to sell his home as he has Alzheimer's and I'm now his caregiver.  It would have been nice to have seen Rose again.  She was a sweetheart when I knew her.  We live in Kirkland,  WA now and I have 5 grown children and 7 grandchildren.  I was lucky to have met Rose because obviously I remembered her well, even at that young age. 

Rose Marie was a dear sister and special friend to me, especially for the two years before she left Tacoma, Washington to begin her life in Hawaii.  She would drop by to visit, and help out with household tasks, teasing me about being too short (to reach some things).  Her visits were always welcome and full of laughter and sunshine. Though I was happy for her, and supported her choice to make her own way, I missed her and looked forward to her visits to the mainland.

Richard & family:  I was so sad to hear Rose had passed away. Rose, Marie, & I were neighbors & childhood/young adult friends. I left Kauaii in mid Dec, the day Marie & Bob went on to Honolulu. I'm glad they got to see and talk to Rose one last time. I'm sorry for your loss. I will always remember Rose.

Rose and I were in the same class at St. Leo's Grade School in Tacoma, WA.
Many years later when I moved to Honolulu in 1971 who did I meet by chance at JC Penney's where I worked?  Rose Goucher.  She was so generous and helpful to this howlie in Hawaii.  Thank you Rose and my condolences to her family at this difficult time.

Rose was a childhood friend, I knew her well back in the fifties and early sixties. We lived in the same neighborhood along Proctor Street in Tacoma, Washington. We played together and spent time at some of the local parks. I was a bit older than Rose and left to serve in the Marine Corps in 1964 and never saw her again. Every time I'd drive by her big old house at 11th and Proctor I would wonder where she had gone and what she was doing. I am sad to hear of her passing but pleased to finally know that she met a great guy and had a beautiful family and a good life.

OBITUARY

Rose Marie Lee

August 31, 1948 – January 22, 2012

Borthwick Mortuary

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