Mary Rose Volberding

Volberding, Mary Rose (Buckley) of Bellevue, WA. Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Dear Friend to all, passed at age 87 on June 5, 2011 surrounded by family. Mary Rose was born January 18, 1924 in Spokane, WA to Robert Emmett and Rose Augusta Buckley as their 2nd child. Mary Rose was initially raised in Spokane, WA and then moved to St. Paul, MN. Mary Rose was very close to her sister, Katherine (Buckley) Wilkowski and brother, Robert Buckley. Mary Rose graduated from St. Joseph's Academy High School in St. Paul, MN and enjoyed many reunions with her classmates. Mary Rose served as a Secretary for the United States Army in Japan after WWII, followed by a tour in West Germany. She was one of the first trans-Pacific stewardesses for North West Airlines, where she met her future husband of 38 years, Thomas R. Volberding. They settled in Bellevue in 1958. She also worked for the City of Bellevue for 10 years in the planning department from 1972 to 1982. Upon retirement Mary Rose was a longtime volunteer at Overlake Hospital. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she also volunteered in various capacities over 53 years, and for the past 20 years served in the Parish Office every Wednesday morning counting the coinage as well as recording the school's deposits. Mary Rose participated in many hobbies and interests including genealogy, photography, traveling, attending the theater, playing bridge, enjoying a good Manhattan, and watching Notre Dame Football and the Mariners. She was a quilter, gifted seamstress, and a wonderful homemaker - but she most enjoyed spending time with her family as well as celebrating birthdays, holidays, etc... Mary Rose is survived by her sons, Ted (wife Colleen) Volberding of Kirkland, WA, Michael (wife Pam) Volberding of Danville, CA and Son in Law Bill Kirchgessner of St. Paul, MN. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jake Kirchgessner, Katie Kirchgessner, Peter Volberding, Amy Greaves, Emily Cooper, Molly Perkins, Natalie Volberding; three great- grandchildren, Ella Greaves, Anna Greaves, and Helene Kirchgessner; sister-in-laws, Rose Volberding and Dorothy Buckley, and dear friend Arleen (Jake) Brown as well as nieces and nephews. Mary Rose was preceded in death by her beloved husband Thomas R. Volberding and her beautiful daughter, Anne (Volberding) Kirchgessner, as well as her parents, and siblings. She will be missed by her family and many friends. A memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bellevue, WA at 11 AM Tuesday June 21st. Her committal service will be at Calvary Cemetery, in Livingston, MT on June 24th. Remembrances in Mary Rose's name preferred to Sacred Heart Church, 9460 NE 14th St., Bellevue WA 98004 or the Anne Marie Kirchgessner Memorial Fund at the College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105 Friends are invited to view pictures, share memories and sign the family's online guestbook at www.flintofts.com. Arrangements by Flintofts Funeral Home and Crematory, Issaquah, WA 425-392-6444.