Rose F. Barber

November 30, 1951 - September 6, 2018

Rose Frances (nee Donnellan) Barber of Garrison passed away suddenly on the evening of September 6, 2018. She was 66. Rosie was born on November 30, 1951, outside Bailieborough, County Cavan, Ireland, to the late Phillip and Mary Donnellan. She met her husband Michael Barber while he was visiting home from the States. They married in Tierworker, County Meath, on Sept. 13, 1975. She joined Mike in the Bronx to begin their life together before moving to Garrison in 1982. A loving wife and mother, Rosie was devoted to her husband and eight children, who were the pride of her life. Her second proudest achievement came in 1997, when she became an American citizen and active voter who loved talking politics. She was unwavering in her Catholic faith, selflessly living the Catholic ideal of altruism in every facet of her life. She made friends wherever she went, and was loved by many. Rosie’s door was always open, and she had a cup of tea ready. Never hesitating to help others, she was a caregiver for several friends through hard times and illnesses. Rosie was both a homemaker and longtime professional housekeeper, most recently at St. Columbanus Church. She was well known for her candor and Irish wit, and always had a saying to fit the occasion. For several years, she ran the hot lunch program at Garrison school. Her children’s friends were treated as part of the family, and even if they were put to work in the yard, they considered the Barber house a second home. Whether cooking dinner for her family or cleaning for clients, Rosie always had a song to sing. And no matter where in the country her children moved to, the place they considered home was wherever their mother was. Rosie is survived by her husband, as well as her daughters Anne Marie and Patricia; sons Phillip, Michael, Raymond, Oliver, Dermot and Brendan; and granddaughter Cora. She leaves behind her sisters Ann Carragher, Attracta Fitzsimons and brother Pearse Donnellan, along with dozens of beloved nieces and nephews. A wake will be held Friday, September 14 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dorsey Carlone Funeral Home at 1100 Cortlandt St., Peekskill. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, September 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Columbanus Church at 122 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor with burial nearby in Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, Graymoor. We’ll all miss her very much. And if you don’t like this obituary – “off with your hat!”