Violet M. Rose

May 31, 1926 - August 23, 2007


Violet Rose, 81, of Casa Grande, AZ passed away on August 23, 2007 in Phoenix, the victim of a stroke.

She was born on May 31, 1926 to George and Anna Meadows of Arkwright, NY, and was a graduate of Mayville Central School. In 1946, she married Howard Schrader of Brocton, NY, and together they raised two children; maintained a family fruit farm; and owned and operated a successful auto repair shop. Violet also worked as a hotel cook noted for her exceptionally fine pies.

In 1973, she married Donald Shepard of Westfield, NY and moved to Casa Grande where she was employed by the city as a ceramics instructor. Her interest in services to senior citizens deepened in 1976 when her mother came to live with her, and following the death of her third husband, "Bill" Rose, in 1989 she became a tireless volunteer with the Casa Grande Police Department and other organizations. For several years, Violet assisted in the training of new police officers at Central Arizona College, playing with wily authenticity the role of a person with Alzheimer's disease. Her particular devotion, however, was the Casa Grande Senior Phone Patrol - an organization of volunteers whose daily telephone contact with local senior citizens has saved several lives. For her years of dedicated service, Violet Rose received numerous awards, most notably the Casa Grande Police Department Volunteer of the Year Award (2000), the Dorothy Powell Memorial Award for "Outstanding Service To and Concern For the Senior Citizens of Pinal and Gila Counties" (2004), and a Presentation by Governor Janet Napolitano at the Governor's Conference on Aging (2004).

Mrs. Rose was preceded in death by her only sibling, George H. Meadows, in May 2007. She is survived by her children, Rose Simon of Winston-Salem, NC and Howard and Kathleen Schrader of Monroe, NC; numerous stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and an extensive network of friends and fellow volunteers throughout the Casa Grande area.

A memorial service will be held for Violet Rose at J. Warren Funeral Services Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel, 525 Peart Road, Casa Grande on Sunday, August 26 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Hospice of the Valley or to Casa Grande Volunteer Services.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.