Rose was reunited with her husband Bernard Godfrey Morris on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
She was the very definition of the quintessential New Yorker.
Everything about her was New York from her signature Manhattan cocktail, tickets to the Met or providing her yellow cab taxi driver with the fastest route to her destination.
She was born into an Irish–Italian Catholic home on Sept. 7, 1928, to her parents George Guida and the former Agnes McMahon.
Although she would share stories about her youth, it was clear that they generally included a love, or rather an obsession, with Frank Sinatra. One of the original Bobby Soxers, she would never apologize for this cult like love of Ol’ Blue Eyes.
Rose spent much of her early life in New York City and, after marrying Barney, they moved “all the way upstate” into Rockland County to raise their son James.
She loved to share her joy of reading as a volunteer with the Association for the Visually Impaired, a reading aide at Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Stony Point and delivered meals to seniors in need.
She was a corporate secretary completing her career with Faberge.
Although spending the better part of 25 years in Thiells, she proved that you can take the girl out of the city, but couldn’t take the city out of the girl. So after becoming widowed and celebrating her 70th birthday, she decided it was time to return to the place of her birth living across the street from her beloved Lincoln Center.
The next twenty-plus years were spent playing Bridge, attending Broadway plays, Opera season and working out five days a week at the Reebok Gym until well into her 80’s.
Rose was a ferocious reader, was unrelenting at crosswords and quite fond of game shows, especially Jeopardy. In later years she was a fan of cable news, especially Fox Business, and it was not uncommon for her to call and provide stock ideas.
She kept a social calendar which sometimes made it difficult for her son James to keep track of where she was. Rose and her friends would walk the city and explore their beloved Manhattan.
Although she never went to Times Square for New Year’s Eve, she did on occasion cheer on the runners in central park for the New Year’s run. A side benefit was the fireworks show at midnight.
She loved watching tennis and golf, and if either Roger Federer or Tiger Woods were in contention, it was much appreciated if you called after the tournament.
She was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Manhattan and was blessed to have her friend Dario deliver Communion every week and, of course, visits, prayers and blessings by her Pastor Father Nolan.
Many of her friends had moved or predeceased her and her health started to fail as she entered her 90’s. However, she always talked about her special 90th birthday in the private room at the Palm in New York City and celebrating with her new special friends Nina, Angelica and AJ.
As she wanted to continue living on her own through the years, the passage of time made it necessary for her to have extra help. That help came in the form of her angels: Jeanette, Lucia, Jam, Ruth, Shallemar, Mimi and Chan. Their kindness, love and care will never be forgotten.
Her medical team of Dr. Ghassibi and Dr. Tamis-Holland added years of quality life for her and her family to enjoy. May they continue to do God’s work in helping other families.
Mom enjoyed her life in the city knowing that her friends that worked at 165 West would keep her safe and sound. Thank you to Cosby, George, Joe, Erasmo, Kris, Wayne, Michael S, Luis, Cyrano, Kenny, Michael N and Jose. You know how much you meant to Mom.
Rose is survived by her loving son James and his wife Ann Marie of Monroe; and her grandchildren Brendan Morris (fiancé Nina Juncaj) of Chester, Patrick Morris of Yonkers and Kelsey Morris of Monroe.
James will never forget the kindness of his cousins Michael, Kathy and Vittoria calling to check up on their Aunt Rose and talking about the family and the good old days.
Rose was predeceased by her brothers Joseph, Rosario (Ross) and Thomas (Tommy).
Visitation was held March 8 at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Anastasia Church in Harriman on March 9. Interment followed at Frederick Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery in New Hempstead.
In lieu of flowers, Rose would have appreciated donations being made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or your local animal shelter.
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes (845 782-8185 or www.ssqfuneralhome.com).