Rosemary F. Rouse

Rosemary Frances (Brett) Rouse, age 85, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 1st.  She had been a resident of Hershey Mills, West Chester, PA, for three years, and a lifelong resident of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Rose was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10th, 1932 to the late Francis Assisi Brett and Margaret (Hannigan) Brett.  She was the third of Frank and Peg’s five children and the elder of their two daughters.  She grew up in South Philadelphia, where she attended St. Edmond parish school and Hallahan High School for Girls.  Upon leaving Hallahan, with a sickly father and two older brothers in the seminary, she went to work to help support her family.  While working at the Boyd Theater in 1948, she met Lester Rouse, whom she married in August 1953.  Rose and Les moved to Collingdale, Pennsylvania that year, where they raised their five children in Saint Joseph Parish. 

Rose lived a life devoted to others.  Without hesitation, she lovingly did things for family and friends—never expecting thanks or praise in return.  Her grandchildren loved to spend time at her house, where they were always certain to be doted upon.  She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend who was loved by all and will be deeply missed.

Rose is survived by her husband of 64 years, Lester William Rouse, her five children – Edward M. Rouse of Pensacola, FL; Nancy Coyne of Malvern, PA; Colleen Leahy Powell of West Chester, PA; Timothy Brett Rouse of Wrentham, MA; and Robert Raymond Rouse of Phoenixville, PA – her thirteen grandchildren, her eight great-grandchildren, and her sister Anastasia (Brett) Lawlor.  She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph John Brett, Rev. Francis Xavier Brett, and Rev. Robert Raymond Brett. 

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Patrick Church in Malvern, PA on Friday, April 6th at 11:15am, with a viewing preceding the mass at 10:15am. Interment, 12:30 P.M. Saturday, April 7th at Bates Mill Cemetery, Burlington, New Jersey.   In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose’s honor can be made to Mom’s House, 145 S. Main St., Phoenixville, PA 19460.