Rose Frances McKiernan

Long before people began to speak up about acceptance, our mom valued every person she ever met. No one was ordinary. Everyone was important and interesting and had a perspective worth appreciating. She had an impish sense of humor and delighted in our silly antics. Whatever piqued her curiosity led to a deep examination - astrology, Russian mezzo sopranos - that enriched her life and ours. Her sewing and tailoring skills were extraordinary, which she explained were the result of painstaking ironing at every step. She wielded that iron like a virtuoso, with one of her adored operas filling the air, tears of joy sprinkling the garment she was working on.

Rose sewed Halloween costumes and corduroy holders for fifth grade tonette flutes; canned summer bounty; swam at the Clinton beach and put thousands of miles on her Dr. Scholl’s sandals. She was a whirlwind of enterprise and productivity, dedicated to caring for her family.

She was infinitely patient with us, and fervently devoted to her beloved husband and best friend, our father Patrick, who predeceased her. We rest in the solace of knowing that now, together, they will continue to explore the worlds of literature and music and art that fascinated them for eternity.

We were and are profoundly better in this life for who she was and all that she freely and selflessly gave us.

Rose is survived by Patricia McKiernan and her wife Lisa Simon of Bethel, CT; Shaleighne McKiernan and Gary Howells of Griswold, CT; and Paul and Josie McKiernan of Wailuku, HI.

A devotee of the opera (and our Mom’s lifelong passion) we ask that donations in her memory be made to the Metropolitan Opera, [email protected].

Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.