Roseann Frederick, was born on December 6, 1924 in Easton, Pennsylvania, as the daughter of Orazio Pennise and Angeline Guarrera. Roseann grew up in Easton Pennsylvania and later lived in Foster City, Belmont, Cupertino and most recently Mission Viejo, CA. She married Walter S. Frederick, February 7, 1953. They had five children: Stephen, Ann, Jane, James & David. Roseann always enjoyed her grandchildren: Cristina, Jonathan & Ryan.

Roseann achieved her nursing diploma at Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1946.

She began her nursing career as an emergency room nurse Brooklyn Hospital, 1946—1948 and later a public health nurse in Easton, 1949—1953. Nurses Registry Peninsula Hospital, Burlingame, California, 1954—1955. She continued as a staff nurse, head nurse Mills Hospital, San Mateo, 1956—1958, Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, 1959—1961, Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto, since 1966. She continued on the Nurses registry until her retirement.

Roseann served as an active member of Franciscan Order, Mercy Association, and the Italian Catholic Federation.

Roseann loved cooking & baking, watercolors, big band and classical music. Roseann was a treasured friend to many. She was a wonderful listener and always had time for others. Roseann adored her children and grandchildren and will be sorely missed by her friends and family.

James added, If I had to pick one word that would show how God's love was expressed through my mom to us, it would have to be devotion.

Her ability to wade through difficult life situations to exemplify this aspect of God's love was absolutely incredible.

She was born in Pennsylvania in 1924 and went to Sacred Heart hospital to become a nurse. But to show her willingness for devotion, her intention was to become a nun. Probably the last time anyone ever prevented her from doing anything against her will occurred when her parents picked her up from the convent after graduation. They did not want her to go into the convent and she obeyed reluctantly….needless to say, a few of us kids are grateful for that…But I emphasize this because, to ever consider that lifestyle, being fully devoted to God, was in her from a very young age.

This nursing skill was utilized in her lifetime with her sister Mary, who suffered from spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease which has no cure. My mom refused to give up on her and instituted massage and multiple second opinions and hospitals within and out of state. Diagnosis took several months back then and my mother even quit her job in Pennsylvania to work in Colorado while her sister Mary, went through evaluations. Eventually Mary passed away and this was a huge disappointment to my mother. But my mom's devotion for Mary even extended to her nephew John DeVivo, Mary's son, whom she kept in close contact over the years.

Fast forward to my oldest brother Steve, who, in his teenage years was diagnosed with a large tumor that had to be removed from his brain. Needless to say complications occurred and he needed medications to function well. This spawned a life of hospitalization, board and care homes, ventures on his own when he would stop taking his meds, at which point he would end up back in the hospital to start this cycle over again. This went on for at least 15 years, with my mother always driving at odd hours during the day or night to rescue Steve from either being a danger to himself or others. She never gave up on Steve, always was there for him in time of need, and sometimes it was a life threatening need. She would always talk like he was getting better giving him words of encouragement even though the rest of us had seen this pattern for many years. Steve ended up passing away also but my mom's love and devotion to his care never waned.

Additionally, My father was an alcoholic and being that his behavior was not becoming of being around the rest of the kids, my parents ended up separating never to live together again. You may be asking, well Jim, where's the devotion here? So the devotion was well placed because it was for her kids first, then her husband. You see, she never stopped loving my father. She just realized he was unhealthy for us and still loved him anyway. In fact, she made a room for him to live in at one of the rental properties that she owned so he would have a place. In his latter years after he was hospitalized, she placed him in a recovery home and he lived another 8 years before passing. Probably the best years of his life were those last years. And my mother saw to his comfort.

So whether it was a some time with her sister, 15 + years with her son or 65 years with her separated husband or a lifetime with 5 kids, my mother's devotion was her God given gift and a picture of God's love for us. You may be in the hospital, or going through the ups and downs of an illness or a experiencing a lifetime of addiction or raising 5 kids some of them way more difficult than the others. (isn't that right my brother Dave?) Whatever it is God is there with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. And his love for you is even greater than what my mom exemplified in her life. For just as my mom gave of her life for the seriously ill and well alike, So has God given himself up for us.

In closing, I'd like to read an excerpt from a letter sent by my mother's nephew, John, …

Of all the women in my childhood, Aunt Rose comes closest to being my second mom, partly because I was the first grandchild in the family and second because she was so close to my mom and valiantly stood by her during her terminal illness. She always showered me with her love and affection until her last days with





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