Hilda Hartrick Rose

As a child growing up, she was active in Girl Scouts, achieving the rank of First Class, the highest rank at the time, and later became a Troop Leader. She was on the first and second Girl Scout Canoe Trips in Algonquin Park and was chosen to help set up the International Encampment in Cooperstown, New York.

She graduated from Kenmore High School in Kenmore, New York with Honors and attended Bryant Stratton Business College in Buffalo, New York. In 1951, she married her first husband and father of her children, Alan L. Hartrick, Jr. They moved the family to Scottsdale, Arizona in August of 1968. She later re-married the love of her life and has celebrated 35 incredible years with her second husband, Robert E. Rose.

After raising her children, Hilda went to work for the Arizona Department of Emergency Management as an Administrative Assistant. During that time, she was Project Manager for a new federal program to computerize fire reporting, the National Fire Incident Reporting System. In June of 1985, Hilda and Bob, both single by them, met at a training conference, developed a friendship, fell in love and were married on November 1, 1985. Bob was the Deputy Chief of the San Francisco Fire Department at the time. After Bob retired, they decided to reside in Tempe, Arizona.

Hilda had a great passion for music and began playing the piano and trumpet in her early days of elementary school. In the Kenmore High School band she played the trumpet and continued playing in the Buffalo Bills Band, numerous community bands, culminating with 30 years in the Ahwatukee Foothills Concert Band. She was a member of many churches, most recently Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe where she was the Chair of the Community Outreach Ministry for 8 years. Her faith, love of life and love of God were evident in all she did.

Hilda enjoyed sewing and made many clothes for her grandchildren as well as knitting the cherished, personalized Christmas stockings for all family members. She took up quilting and made custom quilts for her family and lap quilts for Hospice and the Christopher Kohls Fire Department. She will be remembered for her kindness and willingness to give back to others in need.

Hilda and Bob spent many years as devoted and loving caregivers for their mothers, daughters, and Bob’s aunt and sister. She really enjoyed their time spent at their cabin in Christopher Creek, Arizona. Hilda had an immense appreciation for the arts. In retirement, she took up oil painting classes given at Pyle Adult Center in Tempe. Many of her paintings hung in senior art shows at the center and have been enjoyed in the homes of her family members.

Hilda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Karen, and stepdaughter, Rachael. She is survived by her devoted husband of over 35 years, Robert E. Rose, 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. She will be remembered by all who knew her and will be deeply missed.

Hilda requested that everyone wear bright colors to her service.

Memorials to Arizona Schnauzer Rescue 2173 W. Enfield Way Chandler AZ 85286 or Desert Cross Lutheran Church are suggested.

Funeral Services will be held at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, 8600 S. McClintock Dr. Tempe, AZ 85284 at 2pm MST on Saturday, September 11th.