Rose M Matela

Warren, Ohio - Rose Marie Matela departed this life on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Hospice of the Valley Hospice House, following a brief illness.

She was born in Warren on Oct. 20, 1934, a daughter of the late Charles and Rose Spinella Dann; and lived in Warren all of her life. She graduated from Harding High School in 1953 and Kent State University in 1980.

While working at Sunrise Inn, Rose raised 3 daughters. She was a kind soul, a hard worker and provided a loving home for her daughters and their neighbors and friends. She was known as Mama Rose and made it her mission that all people visiting her home were well fed!

Rose loved to travel.  Although she was on oxygen for the last 10 years, Rose vacationed many times with family at Ocean Isle beach, NC and to Washington State to visit her brother Bud and his wife Louise and their families, along with the Swartzfager clan. She enjoyed the drive to the local casino for lunch and a quick gamble. Rose especially loved to spend time with her great grandchildren, Andrew and GiGi.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Rose (Blaine) Swartzfager, grandsons Stephen (Missy) Foster, and Ian (Robin) Matela and great grandchildren Andrew and Gianna, with whom she made her home, and extended family Brian and Rachel Swartzfager and their children Julie, Tim, Bree and Becky (Joe) Updegraff, and their son Jordan.

Rose was preceded in death by her beloved daughters Debra Matela and Nadine Foster, her ex-husband and friend Andrew Matela, her sisters Grace Matyas, JoAnn Fittipaldo and Anita Wilson, and brother Jimmy Dann. Rose is also survived by sister Kathy Heinzman and brothers Charles (Bud) Dann of Puyallup, WA, John Dann, Sam Dann and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of the Valley for their kind and caring assistance in Rose’s final days.

According to her wishes, cremation is taking place and a private Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to Akron Children’s Hospital Cancer Center in Rose’s memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of McFarland – Barbee Family Funeral Home.