Rose M. Augustine

Rose M. Augustine,age 85, of Elburn, formerly of Garden Grove, California passed away at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva, IL, Tuesday morning, February 3, 2009.BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born April 22, 1925, the daughter of James and Carmela (Gaston) Garatano in Heilwood, PA. EDUCATIONShe grew up near Alverda, PA, and attended Alverda High School. After graduating in 1943, Rose worked as one of three secretaries to Henry Ford from 1945 to 1949. One of her gifts in life was the ability to "get along" with anybody and in any situation, a gift the ultimately served her well during her tenure at the Ford Motor Company. MARRIAGE & FAMILYRose found a home for her heart in John C. Augustine. A neighborhood boy who grew to be soldier, John and Rose corresponded while he was serving in the Army Air Corps. John served his country with valor and distinction. Heading up the G3 Navigational System for the Berlin Air Lift, he was shot down and held in a Nazi Concentration Camp for ten months. Upon his return to civilian life in 1948, John married Rose on May 21, 1949 in Alverda, PA. During the next few years as they began their new life together, John pursued his passion for flying while Rose strove to make their house in Moses Lake, WA, a home. Their first son Gary was born in 1951 and was followed by Doug a year later. After the war military downsizing made it difficult for John to find work as a pilot so he and his growing family moved to Detroit where he began attending the Lawrence Institute. In 1956, John and Rose welcomed their first daughter Denise into the family. They would be blessed with two more daughters, Debbie in 1959 and Janice would make their family complete in 1960. Following John’s graduation in 1962, the family moved from Warren, MI near Eight Mile Road. to Garden Grove, CA where he found work with North American, which at the time had the contract for the Apollo Space Project. In 1973, John continued his work for the Space Shuttle Program eventually becoming the lead engineer for the interior design as well as the assembly of the shuttle. Throughout this time Rose continued to raise her children while taking cosmetology classes. She eventually opened a small shop in the family garage and worked as a hair dresser through the 1970’s. Following John’s death in 1984, Rose made her home in Garden Grove until 1996 when she moved in with her youngest daughter Janice. Later, in May of 2006, she moved to the mid-west to live with her eldest son, Rev. Gary Augustine in Elburn, IL. LIFE NOTES Rose was widely known for her hospitality. She loved taking care of people, cooking, cleaning and if she ever came into your home she would always ask if there was something she could do to help you. At every stage of her life, Rose found ways to care for others even into her last days. When her children were small, Rose made their clothes herself and when the girls reached high school, she made their drill team uniforms as well. Service, humility, love and care were the hallmarks of her life. After all was said and done, Rose’s life was her family and to them she leaves a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love. MEMBERSHIPSIn recent years, Rose was a faithful member of the Evangelical Fellowship Church, Elburn. In earlier years she was president of the CCD program at St. Hedwik Church in Garden Grove, CA.FAMILY MEMBERSShe now leaves five children and eleven grandchildren:Gary (Pamela) Augustine of Elburn and their children, Zach (Rachael) Augustine, of Rapid City, SD, currently a captain in the Air Force.Noah (Melissa) Augustine of Elburn,Hannah (Philip) Stevens Hudsonville, MI and Ian Augustine, a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force currently stationed in Columbus, MS;Doug Augustine of Ventura County, CA,:Denise (Kevin) Stone of Portland, ORAndrewMatthewTimothy Deborah (Keith) Myers of Newport Beach, CAKayley Myers (9) Janice Donaldson of Costa Mesa, CAKenton DunnKelsey DunnJacob DonaldsonSiblings:Flint (Phyllis) Gaston of Alverda, PAMary Daugherty of Norwalk, CAPRECEDED She is preceded in death by eight siblings:Helen ManerinoAnthony GastonJohn GastonJoe GastonSam GastonVic GastonFrancis GastonAnd one sibling in infancyVISITATION / FUNERAL Her visitation and funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the Evangelical Fellowship Church, 506 north Main Street, Elburn, IL. Friends may call from 4pm to 7:45pm. An evening funeral service will begin at 8pm. Rose’s son, the Rev. Gary Augustine will officiate and interment will follow Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 11:30am. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Rose’s name to benefit orphans in Chad and other third-world countries, her church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Rose Augustine Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:45 at the church. A servie to celebrate her life will be held at 8:00. Interment will be held on Wednesday February 11 at Blackberry Cemetery corner of Rt. 47 & Keslinger Rd., Elburn, Il at 11:30 am.

Interment will be on February 11 at Blackberry Township Cemetery, corner of Rt. 47 & Keslinger Rd., Elburn, at 11:30 AM.