Rose Grace Arcara

Rose Grace Arcara, 93, affectionally known to many as “Aunt Rose”, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 25, 2022. She was born in Birmingham on March 18, 1929 to the late Dominic and Rose Trippi Arcara.

Rose Grace is survived by her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Susan Parker Arcara of Hoover; four nieces and nephews whom she cherished as if they were her own children, Frances Viger (Don), Greg Arcara (Donna), Andy Arcara (Karen), and Angela Bovee (Darrell). Her great-nieces and nephews were more like grandchildren to her: Brad Viger, Austin, Blake, Matt, and Nick Arcara, and Ashleigh Flowers. Family meant everything to Aunt Rose. She lived with her brother and his family her entire adult life until 2020, when she needed around-the-clock skilled nursing. The family wishes to acknowledge the great care that was administered to her these past two years by the staff at South Haven Health and Rehabilitation.

Rose grew up in Birmingham, the firstborn child of proud U.S. citizens who had been born in Sicily but immigrated here as babies. She enjoyed her Italian heritage but fully embraced life as a patriotic American girl growing up during times of great change. Rose’s life was shaped by the sudden loss of her mother in 1948, the same year she graduated from Phillips High School. She volunteered with the USO during the Korean War, spending countless hours on different military bases with big band music as a backdrop to many a dance with homesick GI’s. She worked at the Hollywood Country Club for several years before settling into her decades long career in administrative support at a local stock brokerage. She retired from the American Lung Association and spent her last decades homemaking and spending time with her family.

The legacy left by Rose Grace Arcara is an enormous love for family. She had a strong faith and a huge heart. She had a soft spot for charities, especially those involving children. Everyone who knew her will remember her sense of humor and streak of mischief; when she was surrounded by the kids it was often hard to figure out which one was supposed to be the adult. She was a whiz at crossword puzzles but gained much more glee from playing cards, going to Bingo or battling slot machines. She was a dedicated cook and delighted in feeding everyone; it was not possible to visit her without being offered, “Can I please fix you something to eat, Baby?”. Rose was affectionate and outspoken and could give a hug that rivaled none. The family is taking comfort in imagining the reunion going on in Heaven now as a joyful angel has come home.

On Thursday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. there will be a visitation with the family at John’s-Ridouts Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave SW, followed by the service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Rose Arcara’s name would be appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Arcara family.