Barbara J. (Oliveira) Rose, 83, of New Bedford died September 16, 2003 at home unexpectedly.
She was the wife of the late Benjamin Rose, Sr. and daughter of the late Peter and Joanna (Conceicao) Oliveira.
Mrs. Rose was born in New Bedford and lived in New Bedford all of her life.
She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church and played an active role at her parish at both the old OLOA church on South Water St. and at the present location on South Sixth St.
Mrs. Rose was formerly employed by Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Corporation for many years before attending Kinyon - Campbell Business School and later working for Cameo Curtains as a keypunch operator until her retirement.
She was a very devoted mother and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. After the death of her daughter Jo Ann, she raised Jo Ann's children. Mrs. Rose enjoyed cooking, sewing, movies and dancing to Creole and Big Band music. She was a solo vocalist and choir member at Our Lady of the Assumption Church and in 1955 held a staring role as Bloody Mary in the musical production "South Pacific" at the State Theatre. She sang in numerous groups including the Eddie Stack Quartet and the Skyliners Orchestra.
Survivors include a son, Benjamin Rose, Jr. of New Bedford; 3 daughters, Barbara J. Sylvia, and her husband Bernard, of New Bedford, Benita Rose Monteiro, and her husband Gene, of Dartmouth and Kathy Davis, and her husband Michael, of Norwood; 1 sister, Ana Gonsalves of New Bedford; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Reynold Rose and Jo Ann Zaccari and sister of the late Paula Lopes, Theresa Ganeto, Mary Ramos and Virginia Mack.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordFriday, September 19th at 10 AM.Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 11 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Thursday, September 18th from 5-8 PM.
Interment St. John's Cemetery.