Marie Rose Brullard Bengle

Marie Rose Bengle died peacefully at home on July 10, 2023. She was a delightful woman whose beautiful smile earned her the nickname the Angel of Reims. Like the Smiling Angel on Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims, Marie Rose shared hope with others; her strong belief in God guiding her life. Born in San Francisco, California to Gérard and Emilie Brullard on April 12, 1923, Marie Rose was the eldest of three daughters lovingly called the three graces. Marie Rose attended Notre Dame des Victoires on Bush Street and went to Lone Mountain College, now part of the University of San Francisco. Graduating in 1946 with a teaching credential, Marie Rose taught French and Spanish at Lowell High School until she was recruited to work first in San Francisco and then in New York at the newly formed United Nations. Upon returning to San Francisco, she met the love of her life, a handsome naval lieutenant, Dr. Armand L. Bengle, Jr., whom she married in 1949. They raised four children in San Francisco with weekends spent on the Cloverdale ranch. Marie Rose has mourned the loss of Armand these past six years and the death of her son, Gerard, five years ago. Marie Rose's three surviving children and their spouses are Anne-Marie and her husband David S. Walker, Claire whose husband Richard G. Townsend is now deceased and Armand III and his wife Elaine Earl Bengle. In her final years, Marie Rose was cared for by her daughter, Claire, with faithful attendance by Hospice By the Bay. Both Marie Rose and her husband Armand, were so appreciative for the loving care and support received from family and community. Marie Rose lived a wonderful, long life recently celebrating her 100th birthday with her children, eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. The French say there is beauty in necessity but Marie Rose always taught there is a necessity of beauty which she found tending her rose garden, cooking dinner to share with family and friends and the importance of enjoying art and music. She celebrated that beauty every day giving hope with her smile. Emily Dickinson was a poet Marie Rose and Armand treasured. Of death, the poet wrote "Dying is a wild night and a new road". While we mourn the loss of Marie Rose, the hope that makes us smile is that she is on that road again with Armand. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to Hospice By the Bay at https://bythebayhealth.org/.