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Obituary: Kathryn Rose

December 30, 2022

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kathryn Stefanski Rose of Wilkes-Barre, PA on December 30, 2022. She was born on January 28, 1930, the daughter of the late Martin and Theodosia Wineski Stefanski. Kathryn was surrounded by her family and passed away peacefully at Birchwood Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Nanticoke, PA.

Through her extreme passion in giving to others through prayer, volunteer opportunities, and monetary contributions, Kathryn has instilled in all of us a desire to carry out these same qualities in our lives too.  We, her family, are grateful for these integral traits that have made her an influential part of our community.

She was a resident of the Birchwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the past one and a half years, and previously resided in Wilkes-Barre. She was the wife of the late John W. Rose and had six children: Joseph Rose (deceased); Catherine Rose, Ashley, PA; John M. Rose (Susan), Wilkes-Barre; Patricia Rose Babuska, Exeter; Margaret McKeon, Wilkes-Barre; and Teresa Manganaro (Joseph), North East, MD. In addition, she was grandmother to five grandchildren: Jeremy McKeon (Vanessa), Christopher Rose, Kelly Rose, Stephanie Mittnacht (Tyler), and Danielle Rose; four great grandchildren: Theodore Mittnacht, Caspian McKeon, Harvey Mittnacht, and Blaze McKeon; nieces & nephews.

She was a devoted member of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre.

Kathryn was employed part-time with St. Nicholas Federal Credit Union and retired in 2016. She was a founding member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary at St. Conrad’s Young Men’s Society. She and her husband, John, were avid Notre Dame fans and enjoyed traveling to Indiana to attend their football games. They spent time vacationing throughout the years, visiting destinations such as the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Branson, and Disney World.

Throughout her life, Kathryn enjoyed gardening and tending to her vibrant rose bushes that encompassed her entire backyard. She spent summers at the family residence at Arrowhead Lake in the Poconos where she continued her gardening pastime and spent valued time with her dear friend and neighbor, Mrs. Betty Schmid.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Rose; son, Joseph; sisters, Eleanor Czjakowski and Florence Mascavage; and brother, Martin Stefanski.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 9:30 am from the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 am in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre.  Interment will be in the Parish Cemetery, Shavertown.

Family and friends may call from 4-7pm on Thursday and from 8:30-9:30 am on Friday at the funeral home

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Kathryn’s favorite charities, the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org, St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes Barre, PA 18701, or a charity of your choice.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff, nurses, and aides at Birchwood Nursing Home. The amount of care, compassion, and love they showed our mother was outstanding.

Condolences may be sent by visiting Kathryn’s obituary at www.natandgawlas.com.