- Date Of Birth: December 28, 1923
- Date Of Death: November 17, 2005
- State: Indiana
Elizabeth J. Betty Rose, 81, of St. Joseph Care Center-West in South Bend, IN, passed away at 12:40am Thursday, November 17, 2005 at Hospice House, following a lengthy illness.
She was born on December 28, 1923 to the late Arthur and Margaret (McIlhargey) Fortier in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong area resident. Along with her parents; she was preceded in death by one grandson, Michael Wilson; three sisters, Margaret Bryan, Dorothy Scheer, Maxine Rumpf; and three brothers, Albert, Willard, and John Fortier.
Mrs. Rose retired from the University of Notre Dame in 1993, where she had worked as a Sacristan at the Basilica for six years. Prior to that, she had worked for both the Associates and Bendix Corporation.
On August 28, 1943, as Elizabeth J. Fortier, she married Edward E. Grontkowski in South Bend, IN. He died on March 14, 1969. She then married Robert L. Rose on July 29, 1972 in South Bend, IN. He died in December of 1996.
She is survived by one daughter, Nancy (husband George) Cole of South Bend, IN; four sons, Edward Grontkowski of South Bend, IN; Robert Grontkowski of South Bend, IN; James Grontkowski of Palm Springs, CA; Jerry (wife Carol) Grontkowski of Granger, IN; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and several nieces & nephews.
Mrs. Rose was a former member of St.Matthew Cathedral, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society at the church. She was also a former member of Sacred Heart Parish at Notre Dame; and Holy Cross Parish, where she was a member of the Rosary Altar Society at the church. Betty was also a member of the Circle of Mercy Charitable Organization; and the South Bend Bridge Club. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, and spending time with her grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place.
