Rose Marie Bires, 96, of Martinsburg, died Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Hospice of the Panhandle’s Inpatient Facility following a long illness. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her death.
Born in Millville, PA, in 1922, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Theresa Pfister. In 1946, she married John L. Bires, who preceded her in death in 1988.
She is survived by her five children, Anne Bowers and her husband, Danny; Margaret Cogswell and her husband, Dan; John Bires and his wife, Sabrina; Celeste Stotler and her husband, Terry; and Suzanne Morgan.
She is also survived by eight grandchildren and their spouses: Sonya Shockey, her husband, Greg; Brian Bowers and his wife, Beth; Michael and Sarah Cogswell; Brandon Bires-Navel and Joseph Bires; and Megan and Robert Stotler and his wife, Emily. Her four great-grandchildren also survive her: Emma and Nathan Shockey; Sophie and Sawyer Bowers.
Rose Marie was a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As a product of the Depression, she was a frugal woman who knew and appreciated the value of a dollar. She was a longtime member of St. Joseph Church, in Martinsburg, until her later years, when she attended St. Bernadette in Hedgesville. A 60-year member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Rose Marie received her recognition pin for that accomplishment several months ago. She was a member of a small faith community at St. Joseph for decades, and valued the faith and friendship she found there with her fellow members.
She was a lifelong learner. She had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed laughing, even at herself.
Outside of church activities, Rose Marie was active as a volunteer at Hospice of the Panhandle, where she was the driving force and inspired leader of the Hospice of the Panhandle yard sale. She spent countless hours pricing items and working at the event to raise funds for the organization. Decades ago, she also was the brains behind the Hospice Cookie Project, where volunteers bake cookies to distribute to medical providers and friends throughout the community. The project continues today.
During her final years, after selling the family home on Western Avenue, Rose Marie lived with her oldest daughter Anne and her husband Danny. She loved spending time on their porch, enjoying the weather and observing nature in all its glory.
The family is especially grateful for the compassionate care that Hospice of the Panhandle provided to their mother in the final years of her life, both at home and at the inpatient facility. The staff at the inpatient facility lovingly cared for Rose Marie and brightened her days. She lived longer and fuller under their watchful care.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m., at Rosedale Funeral Home, with a Rosary to be said at 8 p.m. The funeral Mass will be Friday, June 28, at 11 a.m., at St. Bernadette in Hedgesville.
Memorial donations can be sent to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV
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