In Memoriam | Rose Ann Schreiber, May 5, 1929 – March 1, 2022

||| FROM LOIS CORNELL |||

Rose Ann Schreiber (May 5, 1929-March 1, 2022)

Rose Ann Schreiber (nee Hickey) passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022 at Josephine’s Caring Community in Stanwood Washington at age 92. She is preceded in death by her husband Paul Schreiber, son John Schreiber, stepson George Schreiber, parents Harry and Anna Hickey, and all of her siblings. She is survived by daughter Lois (Michael) Cornell, her daughter-in-law Colleen (Tom) Nieman, grandchildren Jonathan Cornell, James (Valentina) Cornell, Paul Schreiber, Claire Schreiber, and many nieces and nephews.

Rose was the youngest of eight children and when asked about when she was born, she would often reply 1929, the year the stock market crashed, indicating the impact of that event and the following years on her childhood. She grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA, during the Great Depression and World War II. She was 23 when she married Paul Schreiber and immediately assumed responsibility for her 10-year-old stepson George who was blind and had cerebral palsy. This started a long life of caring for family members that included having two children of her own and nursing her husband who passed away when she was only 47.

Her son John became an ELCA pastor and married Colleen, who was also an ELCA pastor. Rose moved to Michigan, with George her stepson, and helped them balance the load of two ministers in the family with their children. John became Assistant Bishop and then the Bishop of Detroit and SE Michigan and then passed away suddenly at age 47; Rose continued to help Colleen and her grandchildren, Paul and Claire, through their high school years. During her years in Michigan, Rose belonged and volunteered at two ELCA congregations: St. Thomas, Sterling Heights and St. Paul, Grosse Pointe Farms.

Rose moved to Orcas Island, WA with her daughter and son-in-law in 2012 and adapted well to island life. She joined Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and volunteered at the history museum, the animal shelter, and the senior center, and enjoyed a wide circle of friends. She especially enjoyed the monthly teas at the senior center. Having left her car in Michigan, she became one of the earliest enrolled members in Orcas Door to Door, a volunteer ride sharing service started by Lahari, and enjoyed the kindness of friends and family in getting where she needed to go on the island.

Rose moved to Josephine’s in 2019 when her family relocated to Camano Island. Unfortunately, the isolation of Covid 19 took its toll. She was, however, able to spend her last holidays with all of her immediate family including visits from her Michigan family; she was surrounded by her family and loving staff at Josephine’s as well as the support of Hospice when she passed away. Rose will be interred next to her beloved husband Paul in Pittsburgh in June. Memorials in her name can be made to Josephine’s Caring Community (www.josephinecc.com) , Hospice of the Northwest (www.hospicenw.org), Seedlings Braille books for Children (www.seedlings.org), or any other charity of your choice.