Pauline O. (Orr) Rose

HERMITAGE-Mrs. Pauline O. Rose of One Elston Way, Hermitage passed away peacefully at 5:18AM on Saturday morning September 24, 2016 at her residence in The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley.  She was ninety-three years old.

Polly, as she preferred to be known, was born on February 24, 1923 in Jackson Center, PA to Ernest and Edna (Hill) Orr.  She graduated from Mercer High School and Slippery Rock State Teachers College in 1943.  Following graduation, she became a teacher at a one-room elementary school house in rural Mercer County where she taught grades one through eight by herself.

On June 16, 1945 she married Merrill W. Rose, a union that would last until his death in 1994.  After her wedding she left teaching to raise her family, but returned as a substitute teacher in the Joseph Badger School System in Hartford and Vernon, Ohio until her retirement in 1988.

Polly was very active in several religious organizations. Since 1946, she has been a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon where she served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, and a member of the handbell choir. Polly also was active in Presbyterian Women, the Mercer County Sunday School Association, and the Pennsylvania State Christian Endeavor Union.

Mrs. Rose was a member of Chapter BG of PEO and the Hartford Lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served as a 4-H Leader, Girl Scout Leader, as well as camp counselor.  For many years she volunteered at Meals-On-Wheels and was quite proud of Polly’s Playground in Buhl Park which was built in her honor.

Polly leaves behind to cherish her memories her sons John and his wife Cheryl Rose of Hermitage, PA, Philip and his wife Mary Etta Rose of Simpsonville, SC; daughter Elaine Korhonen and her husband Kenneth of Monson, MA; six grandchildren Lynn Schnolis, David Myers, Eric Rose, Hayley Rose-Inman, Mark Rose and Chelsea Rose; and by her eight great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Timothy, Anna, Emma, Isaac, Hallie, Grant, and Bryan.

She was preceded in death by her husband Merrill and her brother Gerald Orr.

Friends may call on Monday evening September 24, 2016 from 4:00-7:00PM at the Sample-O’Donnell Funeral Home at 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00AM on Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon 600 East State Street Sharon, PA 16146 with Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Hink officiating.

Burial will take place next to her husband at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Jackson Township.

The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the support and care she received from the staff at Ridgewood, Hospice of The Valley, and her long-time beloved caregiver Barbara Sharp.

Contributions may be made in Polly’s memory to the memorial fund at the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon 600 East State Street Sharon, PA 16146 or to Meals-On-Wheels 396 Buhl Blvd, in Sharon, PA 16146.