Mary Ann Rose

In the wee hours of September 2nd, 2021, Mary Ann Rose, 85---born on August 20, 1936, and still very much a mischievous teenager at heart---snuck out one last time and went to meet up with her beloved sister Libba where they once again share a home filled with belly laughs in the warm embrace of their Loving Lord. A lively free spirit with an open and guiding heart who brought joy to everyone lucky enough to meet her, Mary Ann leaves a big space to fill for those even luckier to have loved her, including surviving siblings Toni Rose Fitz (Don), Kathy Rose Bowman (Bob), Richard Rose (Gladys), and Jimmy Rose (Susan). Joining her in that heavenly home with her sister Elizabeth (Libba) are her parents Eddie J. Rose, Sr., and Christine Lockner Rose (Old Grammy) and other siblings Eddie J. Rose, Jr. (Reba), Christine Rose Cardenas (Jimmy), and Michael Rose (Donna). Her influence and oversized love of life stretched across generations to enrich 20 nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews, and 12 great, great nieces and nephews, who knew her lovingly as Aunt MooMoo. Her entire family would like to express our gratitude to one niece, Karen Cardenas, who put her own life and needs on hold to care for our dear MooMoo when she needed it most. MooMoo never left a family function without shaking up the status quo and spreading laughter in her wake. She graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Academy in 1954, a school that remained dear to her heart as she encouraged many nieces and grand nieces to continue the education and empowerment of young women in the Catholic tradition. While working 25 years for the Administrative Office of the Courts in Little Rock, Mary Ann transcended the role of receptionist to rule behind the bench as the office’s resident Queen. If you meet any of her co-workers, ask them for a classic Mary Ann story—it’s guaranteed that they all have one. The carefree yet caring girl from St. Edward Catholic School never really left, continuing her life of faith and service to the Church and school by her sister Libba’s side as a leader in the St. Edward’s Mother Sodality, a volunteer for the Altar Society, and lifetime member of Catholic Business Women. Legend and redhead Lucille Ball might have been speaking about our own favorite redhead, Mary Ann, when she said, “I’m happy that I have brought laughter because I have been shown the value of it in so many lives, in so many ways.” We hope that you see from your heavenly perch, dear Mary Ann, the value that you added to our lives as we continue forever to count the ways that your love and laughter enriched us all.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share in Mary Ann’s passion for life through a donation to one of her favorite organizations: St. Edward Catholic Church’s Mother Sodality, 801 Sherman Street Little Rock, AR 72202; Mount St. Mary’s Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72205; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105; or Southern Hearts Rescue, 13616 Mars Hill Road, Bauxite, AR 72011.

Always together in life, please join us to honor sisters Mary Ann and Elizabeth Rose at St. Edward Catholic Church with a rosary at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.