Rose Maxson, 83, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed on March 14, 1998. Rose was born on April 18, 1914.

Rose Maxson left this world on March 14th, 1998 due to health issues and natural causes. She passed peacefully during her sleep, on a rainy day. Rose was 84 years old, and was surrounded by her family, friends, and loved ones on the days leading to her death, which took place in the same home she moved into in 1939. 

Rose, as implied by her name, was a kind, caring, gentle, and admirable person. Growing up she faced some difficulties as her family was all from different mothers and fathers, but after finishing school she got a job as a waitress. This same restaurant is where she would meet Troy Maxson, her husband of 18 years after divorcing him in 1957. She participated greatly in her community church, her voice filled the entire room with joy when she sang. In her free time she enjoyed cooking, and filled her recipe book with hundreds of recipes that she could later pass onto her daughter. She also enjoyed crocheting dresses for her daughter, and loved teaching her daughter as well. 

She was the perfect wife to Troy, and accepted him although he had a son from a different relationship. Rose treated Lyons like he was her own son and had great respect for him. In 1940, she had her first child named Cory. In 1957, she took on the role of being a mother to another baby after Troy’s wrongful choices. Her name was Raynell, and regardless of where she came from, Rose couldn’t have asked for a better gift. Although not related, Bono and Lucille were like family to Rose. They were always creating memories at each other's houses, and always supportive to Rose. 

After Troy’s unfortunate death in 1965, Rose went to court to regain custody of Gabriel, who was Troy's brother. She felt great despair knowing that he was all alone in a hospital, and no one could stop her from doing so. She knew, better than anyone else, how to take care of Gabriel, and loved doing so. After serving the marines for 7 years, Cory came back to live with his mother. Rose would occasionally attend Lyons and his band, to give him the sense of pride that his father couldn’t. All of Rose’s joys were coming back into her life, and she was able to feel happiness like never before. She continued to attend her church, and eventually became a teacher at the church's childcare center. Rose would nurture and take care of children for 24 years before retiring in 1989, at the age of 75. She was proud that she had saved enough money to send Raynell to college, and let her follow her dreams. Rose could never stop giving, and on Sundays she would bake pastries such as cupcakes, cakes, cookies and give them away to homeless shelters. Although she never got money out of it, she knew that she was happy and that was all that mattered. Rose was a remarkable woman, and we can still feel her love embracing us, even after she’s passed away.

A celebration of her life will take place at the church she attended, Holy Spirit Church, Pittsburgh, Pennasylvania. This Sunday at 10:00 am, March 18th. We hope to see you there.