Rose Evelyn Gleason, age 89 of Gaylord, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2018.
Rose was born in Grayling, MI to Fred and Mae (Valencourt) Bishaw on August 16, 1929. One of seven children, she grew up with a deep love and appreciation for her family. Rose and Jim raised their family in Grayling and were all members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was the librarian at Grayling Elementary School, and later the Director of the Crawford County Library. She moved to Gaylord in 1997. It was at this time that she became an active member of St. Mary Cathedral, involved in the Altar Rosary Society, the Daughters of Isabella, and the Bereavement Ministry. She was a dedicated community volunteer, having served on the Board of Directors for the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts and the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra. She had a particular fondness for the Gaylord Youth Orchestra and was well known for hosting post-concert receptions. As a master gardener her whimsical gardens were featured in this past summer’s annual garden walk. For years she also maintained a memorial garden at the Otsego County Sportsplex, where she could also be found most mornings with her group of friends who walked the Sportsplex and enjoyed coffee afterwards.
Rose was known and loved for her famous coconut cream pies and chocolate chip cookies, her quick wit, and love of a good laugh.
Rose is survived by her children, Mary Kay (Bob) Hinkle, Diane (Wyley) Payne, and Patricia (Mike) Zimburean; grandchildren Melissa (Carl), Meghan, Alex (Lindsay), Rachel, Kyle, Betsy, and Nelson; great-grandchildren Linzee, Bailey, Riley, Nick, Caden, Ella, Lennon and Madeline; siblings Bob, Patty, Sally, and Suzanne; son-in-law David Gast; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Duley; son John Duley; and siblings Joanne and Jim.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Cathedral on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 11a.m.
Visitation will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home on Monday, October 15, from 3—8p.m. A red rose ceremony by the Alpine Red Hatters will be held at the funeral home on Monday evening (Oct. 15) at 6:00 p.m. followed by a rosary led by St. Mary Altar Rosary Society and the Alpine Red Hatters at 6:15 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Rose requested that donations in her memory be made to the Devereaux Memorial Crawford County Library, Otsego County Library, or Edelweiss Garden Club.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
20 comments on “Rose Gleason”
Rose,You are one of a kind and i so ebjoyed your company and chats and laughter at the few birthday lunches we shared.May God bless yoy and rest in peace.
Thank you for sharing your memories!
Rosie, your beautiful smile and positive attitude will be missed. You always had a smile on your face and shared it daily with so many people. My mom will miss your calls and notes in the mail and especially the fun you had being named “the French tarts”! May the dear Lord welcome you with open arms and please say hi to Charlie for us. Rest in peace Rosie.
Rose, I miss you already! You were a ray of sunshine when skies were gray. You were the most positive person I knew and ALWAYS UP FOR FUN ON OUR GOLDEN GIRLS NIGHTS OUT:)!! Today we were supposed to be on a color tour at the tunnel of trees but we cancelled because it would not be the same without you. You continued to give me hope in time of need and I respected and loved you and felt so fortunate to have you in my life. I will miss our chats but oh what wonderful memories I have of our times together. To Betsy and Nelson I love you kids and am here for you…please feel free to call me at any time. Your Mim adored you and was so very proud of you and your accomplishments and I know you will continue to make her proud:) You have a special guardian angel watching over you:) To Trish and your siblings, you had an amazing mother and oh how she smiled when she spoke of all of you! She definitely loved her family so very much and I know you all had to be so very proud of her and her dedications and volunteer work that made her so very happy and proud. BIG HUGS TO ALL
Rose, How I loved our chats. You always had a smile on your face that truly brightened my world. You taught me so much in the Bereavement Ministry. I will miss you forever. Fly high our dear sweet Rose.
Mary Kay, Diane and Trish – so sorry to hear about Aunt Rosie. She was always such a positive and happy person. Big hugs from Cliff and I to all of you and your families. Love, Julie & Cliff Bonamie
I have not seen Rose in years, but think nothing but good feelings when I think of her! She was one of the nicest people I met , when I moved to Grayling . To Mary Kay, Trish & John , know you are in my thoughts and prayers. You had a great mom & all of you have a part of her in you. Take care & God Bless you all. ( he did when he gave your mom ❤️) Gail Swope
I came to know Rose when we both served on the board of the Gaylord area council for the arts. Rose also served as chair of the performing arts committee. She was a tireless and enthusiastic promoter of the arts in our community- She especially enjoyed promoting children’s performances. Countless children performers were fortified by her famous chocolate chip cookies. Even more importantly, I came to truly love Rose for her ever positive attitude and her cheerful spirit. She was truly a great lady and will be missed by so many. My prayers go out to her family and all her dear friends. Janet Allen
Mary Kay, Diane and Trish—I am sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed working with your mother when she was the County Library Director. Also, anytime I saw her, there was that wonderful smile and a good laugh, such a quick wit and so much fun……Your loss is heavens gain. My thoughts and prayers to all of you and your families. Joe Wakeley
A profound loss, such a wonderful woman. Deepest sympathy to the Duley and Bishaw families.
I have such wonderful memories of working with Rose at school. Everyone was always greeted with her beautiful smile and the feeling that she was glad you were there. My thoughts to all of you. Sally Yost
Mary Kay, Diane and Trish I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She was such a sweet lady and will be missed by many. My prayers are with you. Know she is in Heaven watching over you.
Cheryl (Gorman) Boone. Oct 16 1:52a.m.
Mary Kay so sorry to hear about your mom. I remember her sweet smile and kind voice when we were growing up. She will be missed by many
May God keep you strong and at peace. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mary K, Diane and Trisha. There is comfort in knowing she is with her Saviour, her loving husband, Jim and family waiting to welcome her. She was a very special person.
Dear Mary Kay, Diane and Trish,
I am so sorry I can’t come to the funeral and give you my sympathy and hugs in person. I am not able to get off work this week.
It is so hard to lose your Mom, especially your wonderful Mom. My deepest sympathy to you.
Love, Cathy ‘Duley’ Carobine
Sorry to hear of your Moms passing, she was a very nice lady I always enjoyed talking with her, She will be in our prayers.
Rose was one of the warmest and most upbeat people I have ever met. She always had such a positive and welcoming attitude, and always greeted everyone with a smile. I so admired her dedication to whatever project happened to land in her lap, and she worked on every project with enthusiasm and a true spirit of community. She was a helper and a giver, and a very special lady indeed. It was a pleasure and privilege to have known her. My deepest condolences to her family.
Dear Mary Kay, Diane, and trish. Sending prayers to you at this time. Your Mom was one of a kind. She was always smiling and so glad to visit with family and friends. I had not seen her since she visited my Dad, your Uncle Tom, but when I did she was so happy and always smiling. My dad loved to have her come visit him and Wilma until he passed. So sorry I could not be there, but we are in Florida. Sending love and prayers. Jeannine Duley persails
My heart goes out to you and your family on the loss of your mother, grandmother, sister and Aunt. When you see a person that has lived a long and fulfilling life as Rose has, family members May wonder why man has to die at all. But be assured, God gives us his personal promise found in the Bible at Revelation 21:4, where God tells us that very soon he will do away with death and sickness from the Earth forever, and then he will resurrect Rose to perfect life here on Earth, surrounded by family and friends, which has always been God’s purpose for mankind and for the Earth.
I will miss you Rose you were a very special lady and I always loved talking to you.