Rose Frances Stewart

Rose graduated from Jane Addams High School in 1947. Rose was a saleswoman in Mount Vernon, New York, and was working when she met the love of her life, Ralph, when he entered the store as a customer. They were married December 3, 1949, and celebrated 50 years of marriage just prior to his death in 2000. During their 50 years together, they welcomed three children into the world; LuAnn, “Ralphie”, and RoseAnn, though Ralphie passed at three months old. Rose volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America and truly enjoyed her role as a Girl Scout Leader. Rose would say that raising her two girls was her biggest accomplishment in life. She was a lover of birthday parties and family gatherings, and experienced great joy when new babies joined her family. She loved to talk about her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Rose was a dedicated Catholic woman and was a member of Saint Frances of Rome in Bronx, NY from childhood until her husband’s passing when she moved. She prayed daily to her favorite saints, for the people she loved, and for anyone else who asked for her help in prayer.

Later in life, Rose was an active member of her local senior center, with a love for Bingo, bowling, and crafts. After becoming wheelchair bound in 2010, she became a long-term resident at Hancock Hall, where she remained active with the recreation department, attending activities twice a day and arriving with a smile. Rose was referred to as the best-dressed resident, as she never left her room without earrings, a necklace, and her signature red lipstick. She enjoyed watching mass on TV every Sunday and attended any religious services offered at her care facility.

In addition to her husband and their son, Rose is preceded in death by her six siblings: Lucy, Margie, Vincent, Bart, Barbara, and Mary Ann.

Rose is survived by her children, RoseAnn Dorsey (Douglas), LuAnn Caruso (Frank), her grandchildren, Frank Caruso (Megan), Louis Caruso (Andrea), Anthony Caruso, Eric Dorsey (Brittany), Danielle Clap (Daniel), and her great-grandchildren, Mariella, Dallas, Guilia, Dylan, and Elliott.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, January 8 from 4-7PM at Green Funeral Home in Danbury. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 9 at 10:30AM at St. Edward the Confessor Parish in New Fairfield, followed by Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, NY.

Rose’s family would like to acknowledge the care that Rose received in her many years of residency at Hancock Hall in Danbury