AFTON – Precious mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend, Rose E. VanValkenburg of Afton, passed into the loving presence of Jesus on Monday, Apr. 18, 2011 at the age of 95.
She was the daughter of William and Mary Burnett Roberts of Nineveh. Rose was predeceased by her greatest treasure on earth, her husband, TheronVanValkenburg, in 1982. Rose was also predeceased by her brother, F. Harold (Fuzzy) Roberts and her beloved nephew, Kenneth Roberts. In addition, Rose was predeceased by special cousins who lived with her family when she was growing up. They were Homer Dutcher, a casualty of WW II, and Herbert Dutcher.
Rose is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Kay & Frazier (Fritz) Vail, Apalachin; a grandson, Christopher & Terry Archer, Afton; great-granddaughters, Sierra Archer & Grace Archer, 2 step great-grandchildren, Cody & Nathaniel Rowe, grandson, Matthew & Timothea (Timmie) Archer, Raleigh, NC; great-granddaughter, Madison Archer, Raleigh, NC. Also surviving are her beloved niece, Beverly Goode, Gainesville, GA; her sisters-in-law, Jean Stanton, Doris Beilby, Ruth Stoutenberg & Mary VanValkenburg, as well as several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Rose was blessed by lifetime friend, Charlotte Cole, Bainbridge.
Rose worked at several jobs including many years at Scintilla/Bendix, Sidney and at the Afton Dress Shop. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother and faithful volunteer. Among her activities were her memberships in the Alice Rebekah Lodge of Harpursville and the Afton Senior Citizens where she was president. Rose loved and was a member of the Nineveh Presbyterian Church for her entire life and served as secretary of the Women’s Guild. She was an active officer of the Nineveh Presbyterian Cemetery Association. In later years, Rose enjoyed a few winter months in various parts of Florida with many friends including Helen Still, Mary Hamilton, Una Christman, Rudy Shifter, and Baker Meek. In recent years, Rose lived with her daughter & son-in-law in Apalachin. Most recently, she was lovingly cared for in Apalachin at The Homesteads Barton Home. Praise and thanks to Connie Barton, her family and her attentive staff at The Homesteads.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at the Nineveh Presbyterian Church; Rte. 7 at 6 p.m. Rev. Emrys Tyler, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Nineveh Presbyterian Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to service. A Rebekah Lodge Service will be held at 4 p.m. A light supper will be served in the church hall after the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Nineveh Presbyterian Church; Calvary’s Love Assembly of God, Johnson City; the Lance Armstrong Foundation or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.omaddenfh.com.
To best honor her memory, give of yourself to your family, church, friends and community. Bake a pie!
Arrangements by the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home 69-71 Maple Street Harpursville.