Rose Frances Edwards

Rose Frances (Barber) Edwards passed away on February 14, 2020, in Clearwater, Florida of natural causes. She was 100 years old.

Rose was born on the first day of spring, March 21, 1919 in Madison, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Barber, who were engaged members of the Italian-American community in Madison. Her father immigrated from Sicily when he was 18 years old.

Rose earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Home Economics in the 1940’s. She led the residential hall food service operations at UW-Stevens Point for several years. Rose married Paul Edwards on May 3, 1952, and they were married for 55 years until Paul’s death on April 26,2007.

Rose and Paul lived most of their married life in Chicago, where they fully embraced a good life in their inner-city condo. They took exceptional care of everything they owned, enjoyed the lovely view and walking in the park by their condo, and took in performances in their culturally rich neighborhood. They were devoted to family. Rose spent much time back in Madison helping to care for her parents, especially her mother until her death in 1995. Rose loved her nieces and nephews and spent quality time sharing her life story and her values. She was a devoted Catholic, embracing the church’s beliefs and participating faithfully. She embraced her Italian heritage, and had the opportunity to travel to Italy.

Rose and Paul moved to South Carolina in 2006 to be near family, including her sister, Charlotte and her niece and nephew, Mary and John Moosbrugger, who helped them move and settle into their new life. After Paul’s death and as Rose’s health declined, Rose moved into a care facility. Although battling many health issues and events over the years, Rose was playing Bingo two weeks before her death, only ten days after breaking her hip. Rose was stronger than even she knew.

Rose is survived by her niece, Mary Moosbrugger, who has cared for Rose for many years. She is also survived by niece, Maury Cotter (John), and nephews, Jim Coultrip (Debbie), Joseph (Laurie) Coultrip, and Lars Barber (Sue), her sister-in-law Orpha Barber, and many great-nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Barber, her brothers Peter Barber and Gasper Barber, her sisters Charlotte Coultrip and Angeline Barber.

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