Rose Marie Howard

Rosalie Marie Howard, 97, Toledo, was invited by God and His angels to heaven on Nov. 17, 2013 surrounded by her family at Ebeid Hospice Residence. Rose led a long and beautiful life. She came to this earth on April 14, 1916 in Lowell, Mass. with a big Lebanese heart and a warm American soul. She graduated nursing school in Boston and later married Zack Michael Howard on Christmas Day in 1939, then moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where she started her family. Her husband, Zack, greets her with open arms in heaven along with her siblings: Dr. Namer Shirley Namay, Lionel Mabel Namay, Helen Richard Joseph and Jennie Joe Farris. Her brother-in-law Fred Elizabeth Howard and sister-in-law Olga Lee Cassis, and many friends, also went before her. Rose had a sharp sense of humor and never took life too seriously. She worked as a nurse and at a delicatessen, loved cooking for her family, playing slot machines and reading the monthly church magazine The Word. Rose was a classy lady who loved cruising and traveling, and dinners out with her family. In her final years, Rose enjoyed being taken to concerts and wearing warm pajamas. She never said an unkind word, never got stressed and was never more than four minutes away from a good nap. The greatest joy for Rose was her family. Rose leaves behind a million laughs, smiles, hugs and kisses with the loves of her life, her children: Dr. Ron Ann Howard, Connie Harvey Tolson, Larry Howard; grandchildren Alyson Anthony Moses, Zack Melanie Howard, Drew Howard, Diane Tolson-Kelley, David Christy Tolson, Dale Barb Tolson and Debbie Mike Cravens; great-grand children, Gretel Howard, Neve Moses, Paige and Sydney Tolson, Ellen and Ryan Tolson and Morgan, Alyssa and Nickolas Cravens. Roses many nieces and nephews include Dr. Dick Andrea Namay, Cheryl Namay Castle and Ruth Namay Burkinshaw; Helen Royce Haddad, George Kay Namay, Dr. Bob Namay, Susan Namay Dr. Ken Endicott; Dick Joseph Cherie Assally; Michael Georgia Lee Howard, Pat Elias, Dorothy Haddy and Gigi Michael; Diana John Shdeed, David Margie Cassis, Dr. Danny Cassis and Dede Cassis; many great nieces and nephews. Thank you to Dr. Mark Fine, and Rosies many caregivers throughout the years, especially Dee, Cheryl, Theresa and Jessica. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, with Trisagion prayers at 7:30 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, 3754 Woodley Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ladies Benevolent Society of St. George for the Cathedrals kitchen remodel. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com. Our Rosie will be eternally in our memory. God rest her soul.