Billie Lee Rose
1927-2012
Billie was born in Kansas in 1927 and moved at age 7 to Klamath Falls, OR, where she graduated high school with honors. She moved to San Francisco with a group of high school friends to attend Armstrong College and began a career as a legal secretary. She lived in San Francisco for many years. She moved to Carmel, CA, where she worked as a secretary with the City of Carmel and then the family moved to Tiburon, CA, and later to Laguna Beach, CA—cities where her husband, Larry Rose, was City Manager. The family moved to Mercer Island, WA, in 1975 where Larry worked as City Manager until his retirement in 1987.Billie first received her Real Estate license while living in Tiburon. She worked as an agent on Balboa Island during in her years in Laguna Beach, and then she went to work full-time as a realtor on Mercer Island for James Lister Realty, which later became part of Windermere Real Estate. She had a long and successful career as an Associate Broker with Windermere, retiring in 2007. Volunteer service for various civic organizations was an important part of Billie’s life. In San Francisco, she served on the board of the SF Auxiliary of the Stanford Convalescent Home and the Golden Gate Kindergarten Assoc. She volunteered for the Reed Guild of Children’s Hospital in Tiburon and the Laguna Beach Assistance League. She served as chairman of Mercer Island Arts Council in its early years.Billie and Larry were passionate about travel, and each year since Larry’s retirement went on long, wonderful adventures primarily to Europe, Mexico, and points around the U.S. They maintained a second home in San Diego, which they adored, taking residence there each autumn and winter. Billie was an avid bridge player (any card game, for that matter) and enjoyed the theatre, dancing, jazz, musicals and many other cultural offerings. She was particularly fond of her husband’s cooking and garden, and loved to share both with everyone. However, Billie’s most precious moments in life were those spent with her family, wherever they were and whatever they were doing.She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry, who passed last April. She is survived by daughters Cynthia Schoonmaker (George), Marilyn Kolenski (Ed), Laurie Rose, and stepsons Chris Rose (Thelma) and Wade Rose (Madalene). Her grandchildren are Tammy Townsend (Scott), Lucas Rose, Melissa Schacher (Mike), Matt Rose, Derek Schoonmaker, Peter Schoonmaker, Vanessa Rose, and Jessica Murphy (Liam). Great grandchildren are Kalun, Lucas, Clay and Katie Townsend; Aimee, Ashley and Megan Schacher. She is also preceded in death by stepson Stephen Penn Rose. Mostly, Billie was well-known for her whip-smart intellect, great sense of humor and wonderful sense of style. Just about anyone she met became an adopted son or daughter, known to many as “Mom Rose” or “Mother William.” She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. Honoring her request, the family will not hold a formal memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mercer Island Community Fund or Group Health Hospice c/o The Group Health Foundation.
