Louise Rose

Louise Rose

September 3, 1941 – July 1, 2025

Louise was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in nearby Greensburg. At just four years old, she began helping out in her family's department store. She attended the Grier School, a boarding school for girls, and became the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a major in English. After a brief early marriage and a challenging young adulthood, Louise broke barriers by becoming the first female stockbroker in Philadelphia in her mid-20s. In 1970, she moved to Denver with her second husband, Curtis "Bush" Bailey, where her first son Justin was born.In 1973, Louise relocated to Taos to study with spiritual teacher Herman Rednick. After splitting up with Bush, she embraced life as a single mother, raising her son Justin while working a variety of jobs and connecting with a vibrant spiritual community. Her second son Andrew was born in Taos in 1979. In the early 1980s, Louise co-founded a real estate brokerage with her third husband, Robert Dale Morrison.She trained and mentored several agents who went on to have successful careers, and she took great pride in helping people become homeowners. Even after retiring from real estate, Louise stayed active, taking on jobs like selling the Taos News by the roadside or helping make pizzas at Domino's-bringing her energy and humor to whatever she did. Louise was a passionate volunteer and activist. She gave her time to the Taos Rape Crisis Center and the local chapter of the National Organization for Women. She took pride in advocating for positive change in Taos. For years, she led 12-step meetings for women incarcerated at the Taos County Jail. She supported causes she believed in, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, the ACLU, and the NAACP. She also quietly sponsored individuals with serious health challenges to attend the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego. She had a love of adventure, animals, art, literature, deep conversations, fast cars, being in water of any kind, and above all-laughter. Her laughter was often so overwhelming that she couldn't finish her own stories, like the time she slowed down her car just in time to get pulled over for driving 120 miles an hour near Tres Piedras. Even in her later years, her mischievous spirit shone through-she would sneak into hotel pools and hot tubs where she wasn't staying. Louise was endlessly proud of her two sons-one a retired lawyer, the other a retired chimney sweep. In her later years, she enjoyed collecting rocks, spending time with her grandchildren, and traveling with the loving family who adopted her as their own honorary abuela. Her final trip was to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she passed away while swimming in the ocean. The photo above was taken as she was heading out into the waves, a few minutes before she died. Louise is survived by her sons Justin and Andrew; grandchildren Tyler and Eric; brother Steve; stepdaughters Teresa and Jennifer; daughters-in-law Kristen and Kamila; step granddaughter Jade; nephews Benjamin and Aaron; former husband Dale, and her adopted family who loved her unconditionally. A memorial service and 84th birthday party will be held for Louise in Taos on Saturday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Yoga room of the Mabel Dodge Luhan House, 240 Morada Lane. Louise asked that the event be a festive celebration of her life with guests wearing bright colors and coming ready to laugh, share stories, and enjoy one another's company. A mariachi band will open the gathering in her honor. In lieu of flowers, Louise asked that donations be made to any charity that lends money to women in developing countries to help them start their own businesses.