Rose A. Malone

Rose Ann Malone, born Rose Ann McCluskey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at the age of 84, in the care of the Sleepy Hollow Nursing Home in Annandale, Virginia. Rose died from Pneumonia as a result of late stage Alzheimer’s.

Rose was born and raised in Queens, New York, by her parents who emigrated from Ireland. She was among four sisters and three brothers and always deemed as her “Father’s Favorite”. Rose attended St. Vincent Ferrer High School, an all girls’ Catholic school in New York City. At the age of 24, Rose married her soul mate Patrick “Joe” Malone at a double wedding alongside her sister, Peggy. Joe was in the Navy at the time, and in true military style, they moved locations quite a bit. Before having children, Rose worked as a bookkeeper at a bank, and over the course of several years, Rose and Joe had three beautiful children, Patricia Ann, Rosemary Elizabeth, and Joseph John, and settled in to the suburbs of Arlington, VA.

Rose was very proud of her Irish heritage and extremely active in the Irish community. She also loved to dance and listen to music. Another great love of hers was deep sea fishing and picking/eating crabs for hours. Rose and Joe were famous for spending time at the Irish Pub with good friends, dancing, and having a good time. They did most everything together as true soul mates do.

At the age of 72, Rose was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As she struggled with this disease and began to go down hill, Joe was always there to care for her, taking care of her every step of the way, until he passed away in May 2009. Since his passing (and before), his children, Patti, Rosemary, and Joe have been there by her side along the way as well. After 11 years of suffering from Alzheimer’s, the Good Lord has called Rose home to him to live in Heaven with the angels and her soul mate, Joe.

Rose Ann Malone is survived by her three children, Patricia Malone Karn (married to Randy Karn) of Herndon, VA, Rosemary Malone Carraway (married to John Carraway) of Jacksonville, FL, Joseph John Malone (married to Donna Malone) of Woodbridge, VA; Her five grandchildren, Kelly Welch, John Carraway, Erin Rand, Ryan Swink, and Stephen Karn; Her great-grandchildren, Kaleigh Welch, Cadence Welch, Annalise Carraway, Matthew Welch, and Gabriella Carraway. Her brother, Thomas McCluskey, of New York, also survives her.