Rose Gavolas

MADISON - Rose Angelina Gavolas, 85 years young, died on Dec. 19 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. Rose was born on Nov. 25, 1928, the daughter of Frank and Catherine (Best) Antonucci, in Creighton, Pa. where she grew up and graduated from East Deer High School. She met Mike “Mino” Gavolas at a dance in New Kensington, Pa., and married him three months later on Oct. 12, 1946; they had two children, Kathryn and Nicholas, soon after. Rose and Mino celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before he died in 1997. Rose worked hard throughout her life, including 20 years at the Melody Restaurant in New Kensington where she did “everything from soup to nuts.” Later, when she moved to Madison, she worked in housekeeping for 18 years at the Crowne Plaza where she worked hard and proud until her retirement. She filled much of her free time with bingo, bingo, and more bingo, and through that obsession met her Bingo Buddy, Harlene Clement. In their prime, Harlene would pick up Rose for bingo, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. And if anyone said “good luck” before they walked out the door, the two groaned that they were jinxed and didn’t have a chance to win. They still went though. Every time. Rose also enjoyed cruising the mall, playing slots at the casino, spoiling her cat, and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We do take some comfort in knowing that she was oblivious of the crappy season they have had this year. She loved to cook, especially Greek and Italian dishes, and her family will miss her specialties; stuffed grape leaves, tabouli salad, Greek soup, and spaghetti and meatballs, to name just a few. Her favorite thing to do over recent years was to spend time with her great grand-daughter, Tailyn Rose, with whom she had a very special bond. Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mike Gavolas; her brother Thomas; and sister, Marie. She is survived by her children, Kathryn (Paul) Ludwiczak of Madison and Nicholas (Diane) Gavolas of Youngstown, Ohio, and her beloved grandchildren, Michael (Jen) Ludwiczak, Amy (Jon) Sutherland, Stephen Gavolas, and Alan Gavolas. She is further survived by her great grandchildren, Jacob (Alex), Olivia, and Julia Ludwiczak, Tailyn Ludwiczak, and Aiden Gavolas; step great grandson, Kameron; and great-great grandson, Nolan. She is also survived by her sister, Philomena; bingo partner and friend, Harlene; and other distant relatives and friends. A celebration of Rose’s life will be held at at MESSIAH CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare. Our family would like to thank the many people who helped care for Rose as she struggled with severe pain and an ailing body, including the staff of Care Wisconsin, especially Stevie; and the nurses, CNA’s, doctors, and volunteers at Agrace who amazed us every day with their care and compassion. Rose packed a lot of strength, sassiness and stubbornness into her 4’9” frame, and while the last few months were tough on her, she died peacefully and with dignity, and is now an angel watching over us all. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420