Rose Mary (Gagne) Hackett, of Dartmouth passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital after an extended illness.
Born in New Bedford on January 25, 1924, she was the daughter of Elizabeth (Miler) Gagne and Frank Gagne. Rose was married to her Holy Family High School sweetheart Owen Hackett in May of 1945. After living in New York City while Owen completed his naval service as a Navy salvage diver, they relocated to Manhattan, Kansas, a place of many fond memories. While there, Rose worked as a medical transcriptionist while Owen attended architectural school at Kansas State University. Upon graduation, they moved to Providence, RI, where they gave birth to their only child Maureen. After a few years they moved back to the area and became life long residents of South Dartmouth, where they enjoyed many happy years.
Rose was an avid golfer and member of the Country Club of New Bedford where she had beautiful friendships and shared many wonderful times. Rose was a co-founder of the first women’s Four Ball Invitational Tournament at CCNB, a tradition that continues to this day.
Since the 1970’s, Rose and Owen spent part of the year in West Palm Beach, FL golfing, enjoying each others company, socializing with friends, and spending time with their daughter Maureen and much loved grandson Joey who reside in West Palm Beach.
Rose had a zest for life, an engaging personality, which was exemplified by her warm and genuine smile. She was simple in her needs, courageous in her spirit and genuine in her love for others. Owen and Rose shared 71 years of a close, enduring marriage. She and Owen were long-time parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, South Dartmouth. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Rose is survived by her husband Owen, daughter Maureen and her grandson Joseph L. Ackerman III, along with her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Betty Harrop.
Visiting hours will be Monday, October 17, from 4-6 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 18, at 10 AM, at St. Mary’s Church in South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations in her memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.