Rose Marie Middleton

Rose Middleton, of Jupiter Florida, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on October 13th. She was 96 years old. A long time resident of North Palm Beach, she lived her entire life as part of a large and happy extended family. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1926, the daughter of Joseph Ciavarella and Theresa Castrignano Ciavarella and was preceded in death by her five sisters and two brothers, Venus Baratta, Caroline Del Balso, Rachel Donnini, Mary Muzupappa, Ben Ciavarella, Frank Ciavarella and Emma Starcun. She spent many years as a loving caretaker to her older sisters. As the years passed and she mourned the death of her seven siblings, her nieces and nephews became the center of her life. She had a long happy marriage to her husband Donald Middleton, who preceded her in death. She was a devout Catholic and a regular communicant at St Clare Catholic Church, North Palm Beach.

Rose was a fiercely independent woman. She ran her own affairs right up to her final days. She was known for her clarity of thought, her dry sense of humor and a razor sharp memory. Without any children of her own and the last surviving member of a tight knit family, Rose became the matriarch of 18 nieces and nephews. Although she was never afraid to speak her mind, she dispensed kindness, understanding and wisdom to a younger generation who adored her.

She is survived by her twelve nieces and nephews, Michael DelBalso, Joseph DelBalso, Theresa (Terry) Gallagher, Joseph Donnini, Marie Littzi, Ann Fernandez, Frank Ciavarella, Gerald Donnini, Judy Roedel, Linda Knight, Maria Martin, and Carol Hahn, and many great nieces and nephews. We will all miss our Aunt Rosie. Her passing represents an end of an era for all the cousins who doted upon her and sought her wisdom and advice.

Funeral arrangements will be held by Howard Funeral Home, North Palm Beach. Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday, October 21 from 5PM to 7PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday October 22, at 11AM at St Clare Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, West Palm Beach.