Zigrida Rose

It is with heartfelt grief we announce the passing of Zigrida Ar Rose on Monday, January 27, 2020 in Willimantic, CT.  Zigrida was born February 10, 1927 in Smiltene, Latvia where her life was mercilessly disrupted by the violence of World War II. While we think of our teen years as being a time for fun and flirtation, Zigrida faced danger and had to make life or death decisions frequently during this stage in her life. Her amazing multilingual skills helped her as she fled from one country to another seeking safety. Eventually, Zigrida left from Bremerhaven Germany on September 22, 1949 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on October 1, 1949. Zigrida was sponsored by the Cromwell Children’s Home in Cromwell, Connecticut to teach sports like ping pong to the children. Zigrida proudly became a Naturalized citizen of the United States on March 9, 1956.

Thankfully her life in the U.S. was much more peaceful and predictable. She married ultimately found her home in Willimantic and married Raymond Rose and had four children.  She an amazing mother.  She had a way of gently nudging all of her children to strive to do their best in all areas of life. She passed on her love of music to all of her children as well as her passion for preciseness. In later years, she also became a caregiver to her aging mother-in-law Anna.

Zigrida was predeceased by her parents, Hermine and Victor Sackevic Ar, stepfather Gustavs Dzintarnieks, husband Raymond Rose in 2017, her son Erwin Rose in 1994, and her sister, Sylvia Vissak in 2019.

 Left behind to cherish her memory, are her children:  Roland Rose (Barbara) of Easton PA., Benita Rose (Tony Gibbs) of Prescott, AZ, and Nora Ronnau (Doug) of Agawam, MA.  Zigrida adored her grandchildren, Cara Mittler of Easthampton, MA, Molly Mittler, of Agawam, MA, and Victoria Gibbs of Prescott AZ.  She also leaves Alexia Ronnau of Ware, MA, Andrew Ronnau of Belchertown, MA, Stephanie Miskowski, Daniel Black, and Stephen Silicato of Florida.  She leaves behind her loving sister-in-law Astrida Olds of Bloomfied, CT and loving niece, Lisa Heath (James) of Southwick, MA.  Zigrida also leaves several nieces and nephews throughout the U.S. and Latvia.

Zigrida gained a new family when she became a resident of Vandermann Place Nursing home in Willimantic. Zigrida loved the staff here more than words can stay. The family would like to thank the staff for loving Zigrida and making her last several years comfortable, enjoyable, and full of love. We cannot thank them enough for this priceless gift.

The family plans to do a private service at a later date. To honor Zigrida and recognize her affection for cats, the family asks that in in lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the Connecticut Humane Society (cthumane.org)

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