Rose E. (Hennessy) Chitwood

Rose Chitwood passed away on February 7, 2020 at the age of 101.  She was born on July 9, 1918, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (O’Connor) Hennessy.  Rose attended the Excelsior Grade School and Blue River High School.  She continued her education at Richland County Normal and received her Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in education at UW-Platteville.  Rose taught school for 36 years in the Blue River and Riverdale School Districts.

Rose married Clifford Chitwood on September 14, 1939 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church at Rolling Ground.  Later in their married life they built a home on the Wisconsin River (Richwood Estates).   This would become a very special home for both of them and Rose spent many hours tending to her yard and flower gardens.  Upon Clifford’s passing in April, 1992, Rose relocated to Boscobel and continued her favorite past-times of gardening, baking for others, and she keenly followed events of her extended family. 

Rose was active in the Blue River High School Alumni Association, the Richland County Retired Teachers Association, and the Lambda Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma.  She was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Altar Society in Boscobel.

Rose is survived by a sister-in-law, Regina Hennessy of Boscobel and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clifford; brother, Frank Hennessy; and sisters Mary Killoy, Helen Thistle, Elaine Kinney, and her eldest sister, Anna Marie, who died in infancy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Boscobel.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Memorials can be given to the Riverdale Community Education Foundation or the Boscobel Cemetery Association.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Boscobel Care and Rehab facility for their compassionate care.

The Kendall Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be sent to www.kendallfuneralservice.com

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