Rosemarie Gavin's Obituary
Rosemarie Gavin, age 77, of Pleasant Hills passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Rose was preceded in death by her dear husband of 49 years Martin Gavin, her parents Clara (Matuszewski) Szczerba and Taddeus Szczerba as well as her brother Ted (Pamela) Szczerba of North Carolina. She is survived by her beloved twin sister Josephine (Bernard) Zelik, sister Christine (Patrick) Espy of Norway. Aunt to godchildren Maria Zelik of Pleasant Hills and Elisabeth Wells of Warsop, England and great aunt to Connor Mignogna.
Rose lived an interesting life and made friends easily. She was a kind and generous person. She graduated from West Mifflin Area High School in 1965 where she played the cello in the school orchestra. She worked summers at Kennywood Amusement Park. She graduated from Clarion University in 1969 then Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1971 earning her bachelors and masters degrees in Secondary teaching and English respectively. She taught in both the Penn Hills School District before moving to Toronto Canada where she continued her teaching career. Here she spoke affectionately about the "auto body boys" who would "step up" on occasion to "mend" her car. Rose was a volunteer at both the Toronto Museum and the Toronto Zoo. She enjoyed being a tour guide.
Rose traveled all over North America and Europe. Her favorite place was Hawaii where she visited over 2 dozen times. Yet, she never forgot to mention the time in 1980 when she spent ten days living with her grandmother in a log cabin in Poland where Rose enjoyed the most basic of living conditions.
Rose was a prolific writer. She enjoyed participating in writing classes at the local community college for a dozen years. She was published in the English Journal and was a contributing writer for Canadian Runner Magazine. In her youth, she was a marathon runner. Later, she switched to walking with her sister and bowling with the "Tuesday Morning League".
Rose made the best roast beef dinner and her spaghetti sauce was extraordinary. Her chocolate chip cookies actually cause one gentleman to step forward and propose to her.
Rose was a member of the Holy Angels Christian Mothers. She was an unfailing prayer warrior. Her dearest friend was Jesus and He has promised her Resurrection and that she will never die. (John 11:25-26). Accompanied by her guardian angel, Rose has gone "to dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come." (Psalm 23).
Many thanks to the staff of ARTIS memory care and Commonwealth Hospice for all their care and kindness.
Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Thursday, October 10, 2024 and Friday, October 11, 2024 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, 15236. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 am at Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Thomas A'Becket worship site, 139 Gill Hall Road, Clairton, PA 15025. Family asks for everyone to meet at church. Burial to follow at Jefferson Memorial Park.
In lie of flowers or donations, please show an act of kindness to someone today.
Online condolences may be shared at www.jeffersonmemorial.com.
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