Rose Mary Smrekar

Rose Mary Smrekar ObituaryWith deep love and gratitude, we remember the life of Rose Mary Smrekar (nee Cubbison), who passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, at the age of 94.
A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 37932 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, Ohio. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation from 2:00–6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, Ohio.
Born in Cleveland on April 5, 1931, Rose made Willoughby her home for more than 50 years. She built her life around faith, family, and service to others. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt whose love rippled outward to everyone she met.
Rose was the beloved mother of Pamela (F. Kim) Goryance, Mary Lou (John) Gostich, Jeanne (Chris) Charnas, and Richard (Ann) Smrekar; adored grandmother of CJ Goryance, Joe (Jaime) Goryance, Mike (Elise) Goryance, Maggie (Jay) Wolf, Sally (Mariah) Gostich, Marty (Katie) Gostich, Nick (Rachael) Charnas, Kate (Jen) Charnas, Claire Smrekar, and Charlie Smrekar; and cherished great-grandmother of Cami, Caylin, Gabe, Gia, Oli, Eli, Amelia, Anthony, and Rory and the loving aunt of thirty-seven nieces and nephews!
Rose was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward A. Smrekar; her devoted son, Edward J. Smrekar; her parents, Raymond and Evelyn Cubbison (nee McCorry); and her sisters, Cora Cubbison (aka Sr. Suzanne, OSU), Donna Cubbison, Rae Busic, Eileen Schade, and Annette Iorfida.
A lifelong and faithful parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, Rose gave generously of her time and devotion. She volunteered as one of the parish "Cleaning Angels" and held a special devotion to St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. She found joy in service, whether helping in her community as a lunch aide at Grant Elementary School, assisting with hearing aid testing at the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Schools, volunteering via AARP to prepare taxes for senior citizens or simply lending a helping hand wherever she was needed.
Rose grew up in a musically talented family, and like many in her family, taught herself to play the piano. At one point growing up in Cleveland, they lived in an apartment above a bar, and her siblings and her would put their ears to the floorboard to listen to the music and then run to the piano to play a new tune. She loved family gatherings with all her aunts and uncles where playing music and belting out their favorite songs was the highlight of the day. When arthritis set in and she could no longer play, listening to all those old recordings was a precious pastime for her.
Rose was a woman of quiet strength and unwavering character. She was fiercely independent-almost to a fault-and deeply honest, never afraid to say no when it mattered. She approached every task with care and precision, even if it meant taking the smallest tool and spending hours to get the job just right. Children in the neighborhood seemed naturally drawn to her; small in stature but large in presence, she was a safe and trusted figure, a kind of Pied Piper whose warmth made every child feel at home. She was an avid sewer and made matching outfits for her children: PJ's, dresses, coats, anything! As a grandma, it was tooth fairy pillows and outfits for their teddy bears.
Being a smart and savvy woman, she embraced technology and was on the internet daily, keeping up with family and friends on Facebook and with emails, diligently tracking the weather and news, playing her challenging Wordle and Solitaire, and never missing a Cleveland Indians/Guardians game via whatever device was in front of her.
Through life's hardships and losses, Rose remained stoic, never one to complain, always adapting and moving forward. She embodied resilience, grace, and dignity in the face of life's challenges. She also carried joy into her daily life: cheering for her beloved Cleveland Indians/Guardians, tending to the details of her home and family, and celebrating the many milestones of those she loved.
Above all, Rose leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, service, and family devotion. She will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, her meticulous care, and her steadfast heart.
The family kindly requests donations be made in Rose's memory to any of the following charities: Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, WomenSafe, Inc. Hospice of the Western Reserve.
To to the family or in memory of Rose, please .
With deep love and gratitude, we remember the life of Rose Mary Smrekar (nee Cubbison), who passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, at the age of 94.
A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 37932 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, Ohio. Famil