Obituary

Rose M. Barrett, 93, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2009 after suffering a stroke. Rose was born on January 6, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to her parents, Michael and Raffaela Dolce. She was the second of four children: two brothers, Daniel Dolce deceased and Joseph Dolce who lives in Harrisburg, PA, and one sister, Anna Dolce Pancotto deceased. Rose grew up in Chicago, Illinois and attended May Grade School and graduated from Austin High School. On June 27, 1937 she married Joseph D. Barrett deceased.

She is survived by her daughter Danielle Kennedy Craig and her son-in-law R. Michael Craig; her six grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne Kennedy Will, Joseph Barrett Kennedy, Kevin Daniel Kennedy, Daniel Patrick Kennedy, Michaelyn Mary Kennedy, Kathleen Rose Rae Craig, three great-grandchildren, Ryan Joseph Kennedy, Coco Rose Kennedy and Stella Eileen Kennedy; two step-grandchildren, Robert Craig and Kelly Craig Hutcherson; two step-great-granddaughters, Isabella and Sophia Craig.

Rose worked for the Burton-Dixie Company as a secretary/stenographer and later worked as the head of Oak Park Hospital Auxiliary. In the 1970’s, Rose and Joe Barrett moved to Mission Viejo, CA to be close the their daughter Danielle and her family. Rose worked at Mission Community Hospital for over a decade and retired at age 65. In her later years, Rose enjoyed the good life at Sun City, Palm Desert where she participated in daily water aerobics, bunko, bingo and many social activities. She was a gourmet Italian cook, an accomplished pianist who played daily until her final days, entertaining her friends in Palm Desert and in her final years at Avalon at Cerritos and Windcrest at Regent’s Point in Irvine. Nothing made Rose happier than to prepare her famous Italian dishes for her family and friends and to perform at the piano as family and friends gathered around to sing and dance.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Rose Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 10:00am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 314 Marine Ave., Balboa Island, CA. Burial will immediately follow at Ascension Cemetery, Lake Forest, CA. A reception will be held from 1:00-4:00pm at the Newport Beach Yacht Club, 1099 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in memory of Rose Barrett to any of her three favorite not-for-profits; The National Dance Institute, 594 Broadway, Room 805, New York, NY 10012; Company of Fools Theatre Company, P.O. Box 329, Hailey, Idaho 83333 or The Troubadour Theatre Company, 6432 Sunnyslope Ave., Valley Glen, CA 91401.

O’Connor Mortuary,949 581-4300
www.oconnormortuary.com