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Obituary for Rosella McGee (Wall)

Rosella  McGee (Wall)
On October 9th, our beautiful Rosella (Rose) Wall McGee passed away at the age of 103. Rosella was born in Pittsfield on March 7, 1915, the daughter of Polish immigrants Peter J. Wall and Mary Zientek Wall. She was educated in Pittsfield public schools. As a young woman she worked in NYC where she met and married the late Francis P. McGee who died on June 15, 2002. They lived for a time in the Philadelphia area, later returning to Pittsfield where they raised their four children.
Rose is the beloved mother of Carole Braund of Williamsburg, VA, James McGee of Jacksonville, FL, Phyllis Middlebrook of Pittsfield and Joan Myers who passed in 2002. She is also survived by a loving caregiver, her son-in-law David Middlebrook. She was predeceased by her five siblings, Catherine Miszkiel, John Wall, Clara Carmony, and Joseph and Walter Wall.
She was the proud grandmother of six grandchildren, Sharon Braund Gann, Christine Braund, Kelli McGee Sanchez, the late Patrick (PJ) McGee and Brooke and Morgan Middlebrook, ten great and three great-great grandchildren. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Passing before her were grandson Phillip David Braund, son-in-law Ted Kaliveas and daughter-in-law Susan Holmes McGee.
Rose had many careers in her 100-plus years. She retired from A.H. Rice Silk Mill as a thread-winder and inspector with 25 years of service, and then found her perfect occupation at Price Chopper Supermarkets as a Super Sample Lady for ten years - preparing and serving food while chatting with people. Her final retirement was at the age of 87. In earlier days she was a housekeeper for ten years at the Elks Lodge and served as a Red Cross volunteer Gray Lady. She was proud to receive her gallon blood-donation pin.
Always eager to learn, she earned certification in tracing and blueprint reading. Even in her senior years Rosella learned how to correspond with family via email. She loved to travel enjoying many trips to Italy, Greece, Austria and Poland and cruises with her family to far-off adventures in Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. Often family and friends would stop by to see Aunt/Cioci Rose; she was always happy to prepare a meal for them and they never left with empty hands.
The last two years of her life were spent at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility. Her family is grateful to both the staff there and to Hospice Care in the Berkshires, who lovingly cared for her.
Rosella was a communicant of Holy Family and later St. Joseph's Church. She was a member of the Mothers’ Guild and the Rosary Sodality of Holy Family. She was a past member of the Pittsfield Exchange Club. Her Polish heritage carries on though her children and grandchildren. She was not only the family historian but knew much about the Berkshires, its families and changes. Rose was continually learning - about geography, nature, plants, and birds, or growing a garden. Her enthusiasm for life lives on. She is loved by many and will live in our hearts always.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Mrs. Rosella Wall McGee will be held, FRIDAY, October 19, 2018 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30am at St. Joseph Church, celebrated by Monsignor Michael A. Shershanovich, Pastor. Burial will be private at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held THURSDAY, October 18, 2018 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Donations in her memory, in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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