Rose Marie O'Leary
08/23/1938 - 05/13/2025
Proud San Francisco native and longtime Jersey Street resident, Rose O'Leary, passed away, in the comfort of her home, after an arduous and courageous battle against an insidious cancer.
First born child of the late Robert and Rosemary Doonan, Rose never strayed very far from her beloved Mission district roots. She graduated from Notre Dame High School and San Francisco State, and had a varied career in both education and the corporate realms.
Rose was the proud mother of four sons, whom she fiercely protected and supported as a single mom. She exerted tough love when it was necessary (which was frequent) but was always ready to extend her arms with a forgiving embrace in reconciliation.
Those in Rose's broad inner circle know she was the innovator of her own social network long before the internet existed. She prided herself on her uncanny ability to remember significant dates, and she sent cards for every occasion, either joyous or somber, to a vast population of family, friends, coworkers, classmates and colleagues. Hallmark and Dollar Tree will sadly mourn the loss of this very loyal customer.
Rose loved traveling, classic movies, good novels, jazz music and binge watching trendy series on TV. She attended both the Monterey Jazz and TCM film festivals for many years and supported the SF Jazz Center.
But foremost, her number one priority was her family. She loved her sons and their wives, her grandchildren and their spouses, and great grandchildren. For years, she excitedly anticipated attending the annual Dugan Family picnics and treating her grandchildren to holiday outings and special sleepovers.
Rose has left an indelible mark on all our hearts, and she will be lovingly remembered always.
Rose was predeceased by her parents; siblings, Tom (Bev) and Frank Doonan, and Barbara Houlihan; and her son, Robert Denis O'Leary (Amen).
Rose is survived by her sons, Sean (Liz), Matt (Janet) and Barry (Sauncey) O'Leary; grandchildren, Sean Jr., Robert X. (Jen), Mollie (Andre), Michael, Asha Rose, Rosemary (D.J.), Ashley, Matthew Jr., Paddy and Micky; great grandchildren Avelyn, Rowan, Faye, Bella Rose and Dwayne III; and her cherished sister Eleanor Nelson (Ben).
The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to Monique Calvello for her patience and loving caretaking of Rose for these past few years as Rose's health declined. Additional thanks to the Kaiser Palliative Care team and the Home Care aides from Supple Senior Care.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday July 12, 2025, at 12 p.m., at St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Avenue San Francisco. Private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests to honor Rose's memory by donating to one of her favorite organizations, the Holy Family Day Home (holyfamilydayhome.org) or to Kaiser Foundation Hospital Hospice in San Francisco.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 1, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Rose O'Leary

Sponsored by Duggan's Funeral Service - The Duggan Welch Family The Duggan Welch Family.

18 Entries

Tara Moriarty

July 12, 2025

Rose was such a thoughtful and kind person- every year throughout my kids´ childhoods- she would send us window stickers to mark every holiday. The kids would delight in opening up a package from Rose and pressing the stickers on every inch of our front bay window. Rose understood that the little things mattered and we will miss her big heart, bright eyes, and infectious smile. Rest in peace, dear Rose.

Claire Dugan

Planted Trees

Patrick Cottrell

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Trees

Janice Mortenson

July 2, 2025

I Remember, Rose has been the most loving person who never had a problem with anyone. And the love for her family and her Church Family. She was there for me when lost my Sister Remember, Rose has been the most lovely loving, loving person who never had and the love for her family love family she was there when I lost my sister Judy & her Granddaughter always help take care of my little Coco when I worked the Kitchen in the Church Hall. Love to her Family.

Susan Fox

July 1, 2025

I've known Rose for many years through our mutual asssociation with St. John of God parish in San Francisco. She was also a fellow Cursillista and was active in the SF Secretariat for a number of years. At St. John's she volunteered as a "collection counter," and as a Eucharistic Minister. During Covid when we were unable to see each other at Mass each Sunday mornning we started a Saturday morning "Church Ladies" zoom to stay in touch and Rose was a regular attendee until very recently. We were so sorry to learn about her recurrence of cancer and prayed for her and celebrated with her when she was well enough to join our zoom sessions. She will be sorely missed. I will miss her lovely smile and the email greeting cards she sent for birthdays and EVERY holiday. Rest in God's peace, Rose. You deserve the crown.

Lillianna Bastianon

June 2, 2025

I met Rose at St. John's Church several years ago, perhaps around 2010, when I still lived in San Francisco. And occasionally, I would see her at Curves, exercising. I always admired her strength, a kind of determination, that would just shine thru, even if we were simply talking about the weather. And, she always had that smile, that same smile that is in the photo of this obituary.
I appreciated her no-nonsense directness that was always lined with kindness.
Since I have moved from San Francisco, I had not seen Rose for a few years now. But as soon as I saw the email from St. John with her obituary, I felt a sudden sadness, and felt compelled to write something about this beautiful soul that has left us for Heaven.

Nancy Burke McCarthy

June 2, 2025

So sad to see this. Her mom Rosemary and my Uncle George Copulos were good friends and Rose and I became friends through the years. She was a great lady and I know her family will miss her. Soar with the angels Rose

Julie O´Brien

June 1, 2025

Rose O´Leary was one of the toughest & strongest women I´ve ever met. I dated her son Robert in high school and was actually quite intimidated by her in those times but seeing her raise 4 boys I knew she had to be that way. Robert and I remained good friends until his death. I eventually grew on Rose and saw a softer side to her and enjoyed her immensely. We chatted often through the years and she became someone I looked at as a role model. I became a single mom of boys too and I think that gave us a special bond. I saw what she had to go through and I knew I could do it too. She gave me the confidence that I was going to be able handle raising them alone. I thank her for that and she along with Robert will always hold a special place in my heart.
I am lucky to have known such a strong woman. Hugs to The O´Leary Family.

Vicky Potthoff

May 31, 2025

I sure will miss you my fried at Pedro. We sure had a lot of laughs and fun. Thank you for all your support and friendship. Say hi to Terry and Nick.

Laura Dixon

May 31, 2025

I am so sorry to hear of Rose's passing. She was an amazing lady and will be missed.

Christine Cronin

May 30, 2025

Missing my dear Pedro partner, we sure had fun! Say hello to Nick

Janice Mortenson

May 29, 2025

I am sending my sincere condolences to roses, family, and her wonderful granddaughter who used to take care of Coco during coffee hour at St John Of God. I miss you all since I moved down to Vista and I miss Rose´s suite smile and her wonderful generousness. Here´s a picture of

Janice Mortenson

May 29, 2025

To Rose`s family, especially her little granddaughter who I knew very well and your granddaughter loved my COCO. Rose was such a wonderful woman. We were all at St John Of God. She was always there to help wherever she could whenever she could and she was so sweet to my sister, Judy and I all the time we just loved her. So I am sending her family, my sincere sorrow and to let them know that I think of her often and I will be praying for all of her family for this loss. I know what it is like. Rose help me through my sister dying so early.
I send you prayers daily for your loss for that wonderful woman. Janice and COCO Mortenson.

Rosemary Pauletich

May 28, 2025

We miss you so much! Love you forever xoxo

Nancy Fraser

May 28, 2025

I loved Rose and have had so many wonderful conversations with her while walking the financial district and beyond during our lunch hours years ago. I have never met any of her family except for Liz and I feel as though I know you all. She loved talking about all of you and the latest news in your lives. We still caught up every now and then. I´ll miss her and will always hold her fondly in my heart. I hope her memory brings you peace. She would want it to. RIP dear Rose.

Margo Juarez

May 28, 2025

What a beautiful woman. My heartfelt condolences to Sean and your family. From the obituary you can tell that she was a loving mom and the kind of friend all
of us want. RIP Rose.

Sue McNaughton

May 28, 2025

I miss my "church ladies sister" everyday. Rose was an amazing woman, a wonderfully caring friend and, as you know, a force to be reckoned with. Thank you, Barry, Matt and Sean, - and Monique - for helping us keep in close contact with Rose. We share your loss and pain, but also the love and joy. Blessings on your family.
Sue

Dorinda Cordes

May 28, 2025

Heart felt condolences to the entire family on your loss.

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