Obituary of Elizabeth Alice Rose

Elizabeth Alice (Farr) Rose, 88 years old, went to be with the Lord on November 17, 2012. Elizabeth lived in Olympia, Washington since 1965. She died at St. Peter's Hospital after battling lymphoma. Elizabeth was an only child, born in Pullman, Washington on March 15, 1924, to Ed and Adeline Farr. She graduated high school in Pullman, Washington in 1942. Most of her career was spent as a legal secretary, which is how she met her husband Clyde B. Rose. In May 1963 she married Clyde in Vancouver, Washington. She left the law office she worked for at the time and became Clyde's secretary, wherein she assisted him in creating thousands of letters regarding the state's tax systems. She was active in community affairs, particularly in schools around the South Bay area, including volunteering with the 4H organization. In 1994 she and Clyde ceased their work activities to begin travelling in their motor home. They began their yearly trips to Yuma, Arizona, which she enjoyed immensely. Their yearly trips to the South are where they grew to love food from the Southwest. They travelled the United States extensively after retirement. Her most favorite places were their homeland, Arkansas and Missouri, from which Clyde's parents came to Washington in 1899. Elizabeth's pride and joy were her children, whom she loved very much, Thomas Edward and Mary Elizabeth, followed closely by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Another part of her life in which she drew much enjoyment was being a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was an active member since 1955. Through her involvement with Beta Sigma Phi she developed many friendships that lasted a lifetime. She also found great joy from working on the family history, tracing their roots from Virginia to Washington State. Elizabeth is survived by her husband Clyde, her son Thomas E. Rose, grandchildren Tanya Rose-Johnston and Jason Johnston, Sarah and Robert Rothwell, and Jason and Sarah Rose. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren (Jayce and Jonathan Johnston; NellMarie, Noah, Preston, and Josiah Rothwell; and Elizabeth (Ellie), Grayson, and Connor Rose). She was preceded in death by her parents, Adeline Farr (1985), Ed Farr (1993), and her daughter Mary Elizabeth Rose (1973). A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 30, 2012, at 2pm at New Bridge Community Church, 812 Central Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501. A viewing will be from 9am to Noon on November 30, 2012 at Mills & Mills, 5725 Littlerock Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501. She will be interred at Mills & Mills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in her name the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The family would like to thank the following for their tireless efforts in caring for Elizabeth: Dr. Zachary Chen, Dr. Maury Blitman and the staff at Providence Regional Cancer Center in Lacey, the staff at St. Peter's Hospital, and the staff at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.