Rose Scudero Jones
August 2, 1917 - November 4, 2021
Resident of San Jose
Rose, the matriarch of a loving family, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her devoted children, on November 4, 2021, at age 104.
Rose was born in San Francisco to Anthony and Antoinette Scudero, the second of six children, to her Italian immigrant parents. Family and faith were a large part of her life growing up.
They located to San Jose, where the family home is still located. Childhood memories of growing up were shared & cherished, including playing with Paula Street gang softball, stickball, and picking prunes & cutting cots at local ranches. This continued after she was married and had her own children. She'd get a call in summer saying "Rosie, our cots are ripe, so can you & your kids come down and give us some help" Sure, she'd say. So off they'd go early each morning, with brown bag lunch.
Rose attended Willow Glen Grammar School and San Jose High School. Most often, friends & siblings walked to school from their home. She worked summers in the local canneries and enjoyed weekend trips to Santa Cruz on the "Sunshine Special" train or riding in the rumble seat in a model A to the beach. Taking the Santa Clara St. rail car for picnics & fun times with family & friends to Alum Rock Park was a favorite. Rose was a member of Alpha Zeta Beta Sorority, Beta Nu Chapter 1945. Her time for this was not a priority as her family grew & she devoted time with her children and school activities. Rose always had a passion for caring for, and helping others. She worked as an aide at O'Connor Hospital. Dreams of becoming a nurse went aside when she met Moran at the St. Leo's Sodality Club, while he was a student in Engineering at SCU. After dating for a few years, they married at Old St. Mary's Church in San Francisco, Sept. 21, 1940. Reception at the Cliff House and a stay at La Playa Hotel in Carmel followed. Rose & Moran welcomed their first of six children, Patricia, and that began Rose's true goodness of being a loving and caring mother, wife, & homemaker. Second daughter Kathleen entered the family. A few years later, Rose and her 5 siblings had lost both parents, so daily visits to her mother ended and she continued to be courageous & strong, as she cared for her younger sisters & brother in the Scudero family home. After WWII, a third daughter, Maureen was born. When first son Jim was born, they moved to a new house in Willow Glen, which became home for Rose & family for over 70 years. There was nothing pretentious about her, though small in size, always a giant giving heart and reassuring smile for everyone. As a stay at home mom, she welcomed fourth daughter & fifth child, Mary Ellen. There was always enough room & food for an extra few people. Rose was very organized with children doing assigned chores and the house being kept in order. Her children were always sent off to school after a breakfast of juice & hot cereal, and a snack after coming home & sharing our day's activities, before homework time and her enjoyable nightly home cooked dinners at the dining room table. She often shared and talked of her mother's being surrounded by family & friends, revolving around cooking meals and sharing in conversation. Our family traditions were her green salad, including nightly meals & homemade cakes, as an added treat. She took pride in making batches of her special Italian cookies, every holiday of Christmas & Easter. A delight was helping this generous Rose wrap up her baked goodies to bring to others. Second son, child number six, Anthony (Tony) was born. Mom continued to keep all clothes laundered, ironed, hemmed, buttons on, and even uniforms, as outfit of the weekday.
As Rose & Moran became seniors, they enjoyed trips to Tahoe, where annual family vacations were spent. Always congenial and patient, no matter the situation she was in. "It'll work out for the best", she'd say! Rose took pride in her work as a volunteer at O'Connor Hospital for over 30 years and became known in her Outpatient Dept. as the "warm blanket" giver to patients. A rare honor, she received 3 Core Value pins, and wore them proudly on her uniform. She was a daily Mass attendee at her beloved St. Christopher's, where Rose & Moran were founding members in having the Church built. She was an active ladies Guild and Over Fifties Club member, & First Friday Breakfast for students & graciously volunteered for any needs that came up where she could be of help, including favorite Antique Show.
She enjoyed being with her family and taking care of them, into her later years. All six of Rose & Moran's children received Catholic education. She had a wonderful devotion to the Blessed Mother and said her daily rosary, as well as an evening one shared with whoever was with her at her house. Her mind was sharp and she remembered things most her age would forget. Rose will always be remembered for her warm and generous heart, friendly reassuring smile, spirit-filled life, and the way she brought the best out in everyone she met. For some in the family, she was referred to as "St. Rose the second" in her humble, wise, intuitive, gentle, kind, and always forgiving, never saying anything hurtful. She was "our special Rose" to many who were amazed by her modest life style and values. She will truly be missed by her family and those who knew her.
Rose was predeceased by her beloved late husband James Moran Jones of more than 50 years. Loving children, the late Patricia Strout (Ben), late Kathleen Moritz (Jim), Maureen Standifer (JL Spike), Jim Jones (Teresa), Mary Ellen Jones, and Anthony Jones (Amy). Rose is Grandmother to 11 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren, along with many nieces & nephews who celebrate her life of longevity. Predeceased siblings Amelia, Florence, Ann, Yolanda and Patrick.
Burial has taken place at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery and a Thanksgiving Mass in Celebration of her Life has been offered at her long time Parish Church of St. Christopher. In memory of Rose Scudero-Jones, the family requests donations in her name be made to: The Marie Boitano Student Scholarship Fund St. Leo's School, 1051 W. San Fernando St. San Jose, CA 95126 and/or Cancer CAREpoint, 2505 Samaritan Dr. Suite 402, San Jose, CA 95124.

View the online memorial for Rose Scudero Jones