Rose Marie Micale (Nee Sercel)

“Strong like bull"

STOW - Rose Marie Micale (nee Sercel) of Mentor, Ohio, passed away August 19, 2023. She would have turned 85 on October 17, 2023, if Alzheimer’s hadn’t won. She departed surrounded by her three daughters, Diane Grogan (Cindy Dunn), Marcia Snyder (Bill Snyder), and Michelle Gugick (John Evrard), just after we played one of her favorite songs: Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Release Me.”

Rose had five grandchildren she adored: Carli, Johnny, Jimmy, Ben, and Jason, and one crazy-cute great-grandson, Wesley. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ronald Micale, who passed in August 2008, and her loving companion of recent years, Bob Murzyn, who we lost this past March.

The youngest of six children, Rose was always told by her mother, Josephine, (in a thick Slovenian accent, crooked finger raised high), “You strong like BULL!” and this was the truth, indeed. At age 16, she was diagnosed with Bright’s disease and told she had six months to live. Little did Bright’s disease know who it was dealing with. Grandma Josephine also offered this sage advice, based on her own experience: “Don’t get married! Travel!!” Good thing she didn’t listen.

Rose was best known for her love of feeding people and her talent in the kitchen was legendary to all who knew her. Visitors left stuffed, taste buds singing. Anyone who lived with her for any amount of time was fat and happy. Always busy with this or that, the woman never sat down. She was nicknamed “Edith Bunker” because she lived to serve. Rose would often drag the living room furniture around to new positions - was she tired of the layout? Was this her exercise program? No one knows.

An avid animal lover, Rose treated dogs like royalty - she loved to dog-sit while family and friends went on vacation.

What a personality! Fiercely competitive, Rose was hard to beat at Scrabble and enjoyed puzzles, word games, and cards. She was a pragmatist, who often said her goal in life was to raise her kids. “Anything after that is gravy.”

Other fond memories: Each summer, several times per week, Rose and her sister, Gabriela, (sadly, no longer with us), gathered all of us rugrats and headed out to spend the entire day picnicking and swimming at an amazing park in Ravenna called Holiday Sands, (now also deceased). Rose was a masterful tailor. She made her daughters’ wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, custom Barbie and Batman clothes, and all her grandkids’ Halloween costumes. She loved to boogie to Old Time Rock and Roll.

Our hearts hurt. Rose will be terribly missed and remembered SO fondly by all who knew her.

Remembering Rose

There will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held in early November; details to be announced. On October 7, 2023, Rose’s daughters will walk in her honor in the Alzheimer’s Association ~ Walk to End Alzheimer’s . Donations to Team Rosie Baby will be gratefully accepted.