Rose Marie Zerfowski

DECATUR - Rose Marie (Brady) Zerfowski, 85, born August 19, 1926, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012, with her family by her side. Rose was married to Robert Orville Zerfowski on July 17, 1943. They were happily married sixty-eight years and their children cannot remember her ever leaving the house without kissing her husband and saying "I love you". Rose is survived by her husband Robert, sons; Richard (Sue) Zerfowski of Mt. Zion, Joseph Zerfowski of Decatur, Randy Zerfowski of Lynn Haven Florida, and James Zerfowski of Decatur, sisters; Jeannette Sullivan of Michigan, and Florence Cook of Decatur, grandchildren; Tammy Reimer, Jodi Whalen, Lindsey Zerfowski, Robert Zerfowski, and Ava Zerfowski, great-grandchildren; Cody Reimer, and Nate Whalen. Rose was a very loving and giving person. She was a Den Mother for Cub Scout pack 10 and active in the PTA at Grant School. She supported her children in all their activities, whether it was sports, band, chorus or any other activities they tried. Rose got her license as a practical nurse (LPN) in September of 1961, and kept her license until she retired in January of 1991, working most of her career as the office nurse for Dr. J. Elwyn Jones. She was an avid card player, loving bridge and pinochle, she also was on several bowling leagues for many years, and loved to swim at the "Y". Rosie, also called Ree-Ree by close family members, collected eggs, amassing a collection of thousands from all over the world. She enjoyed dabbling in crafts, and almost any evening someone came to visit, Rose would be in her chair knitting an afghan. She must have knitted hundreds in her lifetime, giving most of them away to family and friends. Rose had a tradition of hosting a Christmas open house for family and friends. In honor of this tradition, family and friends are invited to gather and reminisce at Fletcher Park Recreation Center in Mt. Zion on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Memorials can be sent to St. John's Hospice 1800 East Lakeshore Drive Decatur, Grace House 821 East Cantrell Street Decatur, or the Richland Community Foundation, Nursing program, One College Park Decatur. She was preceded in death by her parents Carl David Brady and Vola Mae (Dash) Brady, son; Robert Lee Zerfowski, brother; Carl David (Buddy) Brady, and sister Phyllis Botts. The family of Rose is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/