Joan Marie Rooks
Rose Forney was the most extraordinary human being I have ever known. A rare combination of humanistic concerns and intellectual curiosity. Who else would go to remote North West China at the age of 80 because, "The people needed help and nobody else wanted to go but they needed help" so of course she volunteered and lived, as she often did in her life of assisting others, in conditions none of us would ever tolerate.
I met Rose over 20 years ago through the journalist and animal rights activist, Ann Cottrell Free. And in recent years Rose became my closest friend. We spoke every week and I benefited from her wise counsel. I lost a twin a few years ago and she said, "She is happy now, so you be happy" It immediately lifted my spirits....she strongly believed in other realms and helped my disbelief.
In late January of this year the calls suddenly stopped. I persisted ....some days hour by hour hoping she would pick up. She never did. Rose had begun her journey elsewhere. I am a better person for having known Rose. It is a cliche to say such things but it is so totally true. I miss not talking with her, having her tell me about her kitty cats, birds,
the mulberry bushes, the high, white hydrangeas in full bloom, the folks who helped her at her Tuesday lunches, the Thursday visits from her beloved niece, Fran.
So this rare lady is gone from our sight. There should be a monument to her life of service.
Service to country, service in other countries, but most of all Rose's service to humanity. Who else has served us for so long and so well?
Dearest Rose, can you hear me? Do you know how heartbroken I am that we no longer
talk, that losses pile up but nothing compares to the vacancy left by your departure.
Till we meet again, and thanking you for your love and friendship, I send you my eternal
and grateful love,
As always,
Joan Marie Rooks
Washington, Dc.
I met Rose over 20 years ago through the journalist and animal rights activist, Ann Cottrell Free. And in recent years Rose became my closest friend. We spoke every week and I benefited from her wise counsel. I lost a twin a few years ago and she said, "She is happy now, so you be happy" It immediately lifted my spirits....she strongly believed in other realms and helped my disbelief.
In late January of this year the calls suddenly stopped. I persisted ....some days hour by hour hoping she would pick up. She never did. Rose had begun her journey elsewhere. I am a better person for having known Rose. It is a cliche to say such things but it is so totally true. I miss not talking with her, having her tell me about her kitty cats, birds,
the mulberry bushes, the high, white hydrangeas in full bloom, the folks who helped her at her Tuesday lunches, the Thursday visits from her beloved niece, Fran.
So this rare lady is gone from our sight. There should be a monument to her life of service.
Service to country, service in other countries, but most of all Rose's service to humanity. Who else has served us for so long and so well?
Dearest Rose, can you hear me? Do you know how heartbroken I am that we no longer
talk, that losses pile up but nothing compares to the vacancy left by your departure.
Till we meet again, and thanking you for your love and friendship, I send you my eternal
and grateful love,
As always,
Joan Marie Rooks
Washington, Dc.
Marla Elmquist
Leila's Parents and Rose 2007
lzakhiro
This picture sums up Rose's relationship with my parents. She loved my mother unconditionally (it was mutual love, of course) but she tolerated my father only because he had the good sense to marry my mother and because she considered my father her intellectual equal - perhaps the only person, other than Ann Free, who could challenge her intellectually.