Rose A. Vanvalkenburg

Rose A. VanValkenburg, 92, died in her home in Batavia on Sunday, May 3, 2020 with her three children at her bedside.   She was born in Batavia on Oct. 5, 1927 and lived in the same home on East Main St. for the past 70 years. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Russell G. VanValkenburg, who died in 2009. With her husband, Rose co-founded two successful businesses in the 1960s and 1970s, one selling and servicing televisions and another selling the city’s first waterbeds. For many years, she was a member of the lady’s bowling league at Mancuso Lanes, and was a supporter of the Civil Air Patrol, of which her husband served as a local commander. She was a frequent caregiver to the elderly and supporter of local service clubs. Rose was known in her neighborhood and around town as a hard worker, tending to her flowers and outside nearly everyday sweeping up the last leave or shoveling the last bit of snow. She continued her snow removal efforts up until this past winter. In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by her parents Ignazio Mortellaro and Carmella (Dorsey), as well as sisters Mary Cassaro, Jenny Stehlar, both of California, and Millie McVay of East Pembroke, and by brothers Casper (Mort) Mortellaro, Frank Mortellaro, both of Batavia. Survivors include her three children — Donna Nelson (Andy Rogers) of Vermont, Gary (Josie) VanValkenburg of Batavia, and Dennis Jay (Julia Newhouse) of Fernandina Beach, Fla. Other survivors include eight grandchildren and many great grandchilden, and brothers Tony (Shirley) Mortellaro, Joe Mortellaro and Richard (Kathy) Mortellaro, all of East Pembroke. A celebration of Rose’s life will take place in Batavia later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crossroads House, PO Box 403, Batavia, NY 14021, https://crossroadshouse.com/donate/ .