Rose Nora Byrne

Rose Nora (Mulholland) Byrne, a devoted mother, nana and great-nana, passed away peacefully in her sleep (as she planned), on the morning of May 28, 2025, in Bedford, NH. Prior to her death, Rose was surrounded by many of her close family and friends from near and far. Rose was 95 years young and a strong example of perseverance and lasting love to everyone who knew her.

Rose was the eldest of five children born to parents John and Julia Mulholland in the Bronx, New York on January 27, 1930. After her firefighter Dad's early death, Rose helped her mom raise her younger siblings, becoming a second mom to her youngest siblings Jimmy and Maureen.

Through her friend, Pat Byrne (Gentile), Rose met and eventually married Joseph A. Byrne also from the Bronx. Together they raised their three children Joseph Jr, Rosemary and Patricia in the Bronx, Emerson, NJ, and eventually, West Nyack, NY.

Rose spent most of her adult years (pre- and post-divorce) in various towns in Rockland County, NY practicing real estate while enjoying a few passionate hobbies: bridge, gardening, reading and all things Irish. Rose excelled at selling real estate in Rockland, Orange and Westchester Counties outside New York City. She came to love being a resident of Rockland County and gave back to her community by helping town organizations, providing food for her church and local families as well as volunteering with local political groups. Her greatest joy was derived from spending time with generations of family who she considered to be "the garden she grew" as well as her network of dear friends.

Unfortunately, Rose's happiness and peace was interrupted by the difficult passing of her beloved daughter, Rosemary (Greenbaum) in 2015 and the quiet passing of her former husband Joe in 2022. This just made Rose more determined to prioritize family time.

In Rose's retirement years she moved first to Cedar Crest retirement community in NJ and then Bedford Falls Assisted Living in NH where she continued to enjoy her passion for bridge, gardening and visiting with loved ones.

Rose is survived by one sibling, her dear sister Maureen and her husband Bill. She valued their close ties throughout the years and across many miles. Rose was predeceased by her three other siblings, Charlie and his wife Cathy, Margaret (Patsy) and her husband James, and Jimmy whose wife Jane survived him and who was Rose's pen pal. Rose is also survived by two of her beloved children -- her son Joe and his wife Ann of Maryland, her daughter Tricia and her husband Jeff of New Hampshire. Rose was happiest to have known her grandchildren into adulthood including her grandsons Dylan, Shane and Keenan, her granddaughters Arden, Sofia and Netaya in addition to their spouses Meghan, Courtney, Sherwin, Clark, and Michael. Rose derived her greatest joy in recent years by seeing her great-grandchildren Ava, Quinnlan, Declan, Kayden, Phoebe, Scotty, Ethan, Birdie, Kellen and Banks. She also had numerous nieces and nephews and their families who survive her. Rose had cherished friendships with Jeannette Hoffman and Sylvia Pridgen.

Rose's spirit will live on forever through her family and in the hearts of all who knew her.

Honoring Rose's wishes, she asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society or your local Hospice Center in her name. A graveside service will be held on June 25, 2025, at 12:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. A repast will be held locally, immediately following the service.