FLORENCE DUNSHEE ROSA
Feb 24, 1919 - Aug 22, 2015
After 96 years of gracing this earth, Florence Rosa, known as "GG" to hundreds of family and friends, recently left us so she could catch up with Dad (Bill Rosa), daughters June and Joyce, and others who have gone before. We loved her while she was with us and love her still but are thankful to the Lord that she is now at peace, with Him. And with her passing, we encourage all who knew her to honor and celebrate her life.
GG, short for Great Grandma (which she first became more than 25 years ago,) will be sorely missed by her surviving children, Jeanne Bateman (and husband, John) and Jim Rosa (wife, Donna) and a host of grandchildren, great-grands, nieces and nephews, and others she loved and cared for throughout her long life. A long-time Bainbridge (NY) resident, all her working years were spent on the farm, where she loved raising Jersey calves but also did the milking and all the other farm chores. She cooked well and generously, always preparing enough to welcome a last-minute guest. She spent years helping care for family members in need, from an elderly aunt to granddaughters. Her entire life, she loved to stay "tuned in" to what was going on in the world and life, inquiring about new places and sharing clippings of interest just to see what other's thoughts were.
A woman who found joy in so many things, despite some tough times, GG could be counted on to have cookies, pies, and Bobby Baker BBQ chicken ready to welcome her kids home from their travels. She spent years sewing quilts - so that several generations have been and still are warmed by her love. She took great interest in and loved sharing both Rosa and Dunshee family heritage, often telling stories about ancestors going "way back." She was both proud and distressed in recent years to realize she had lived longer than any of her kin. And she sorely missed visits with old friends.
Her special strengths derived from her deep faith, reflected in part by her many years serving in the altar guild at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and her unique ability to raise others up through her unqualified belief in them, a caring gift that helped numerous individuals rise above their circumstances and improve their lives. She was always ready to overlook someone's shortcomings, instead searching for and drawing on their good qualities.
A private service to place her cremains in the Franklin (NY) cemetery alongside her husband is planned for a future undermined date. Remembrances may be reflected by donations in her memory to: St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 1 Church St., Bainbridge NY 13733. "...whosoever in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life". Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.