Rose A. Brophy

Rose Ann (nee Raad), 89, of Westwood, on July 9, 2015, passed away peacefully at her home. During her final days here on Earth, she was surrounded by her loving family and devoted friends. She fought with grace and dignity, maintaining a spiritual strength that never faltered. With optimism and cheerfulness so characteristic of her, she passed on unafraid to her next journey.

She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a doting grandmother,

a caring aunt, and a great friend to many. Her boundless generosity, her welcoming heart, her sincere kindness, and her signature laugh will be long cherished.

Rose was a woman of unparalleled integrity, who truly loved her family and friends, and who gave of herself without hesitation or expectation of reward. Rose was born in New York, NY, to Aziz and Kafa Raad who established a new life in the U.S. after leaving Lebanon. Rose grew up in Washington Heights with beloved siblings Elias, May, and Emil, and dear sister-in-law Katy. A lifelong lover of math and numbers, Rose attended Hunter College and worked as a paralegal in the law offices of George Shiya, Esq., an international law attorney in the World Trade Center. She met the love of her life Austin by chance at a Christmas party and they wed in 1949. After residing in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Rose and Austin moved in the early 1950’s to Westwood, NJ, and raised five children. Rose was an involved member of St. Andrew’s R.C. Church and School in Westwood, the Rosary Club, the Mothers Guild, and later an active volunteer at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Hillsdale. While raising a family, Rose also worked full-time at Bamberger’s (Macy’s) in Paramus in the manager’s office.

While her friends and family will mourn her passing, her memory will remain ever vibrant, and her name will be held in affectionate remembrance by those who knew her best and consequently loved her most. All who met Rose were blessed by her endearing smile, her contagious laughter, and her embracing spirit towards others. She lit up a room with just her presence and could make anyone feel at ease. Rose approached the world with honesty and a purity of heart that allowed her to see the best in people, always.

Rose is predeceased by her dearly loved Austin and her siblings. She will be remembered by her son Joseph and his wife Betty; her daughter Louise Ryan; and her sons John and his wife Lori, Francis and his wife Linda, and Paul and his wife Shelly. Rose will always be remembered with a smile by her loving grandchildren Mary Catherine, Ryan, Timothy, Philip, Connor, Sean, Matthew, and Thomas. Sharing in the family sorrow are her nieces and nephews, Therese Ann and Bill Higgins; Cheryl and Owen McShane and their children Suzanne, Kieran, and Brendan; Jeannie and Wayne Crawford and their family; Bob Bradbury; and Jackie Jackson.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Hillsdale, NJ. Interment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps.