Rose G. Chevrolet
May 28, 1913 - June 1,2009
NILES - Rose Germaine Chevrolet, 96 years old, of Niles, Michigan died at 5:40 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2009 at the Hospice House of Holland, Michigan following a brief illness. She was born on May 28, 1913 in South Bend, Indiana to Anthony and Rose (Vargo ) Kish. She met her husband, Alfred J. Chevrolet, on a blind date when they both attended a Notre Dame football game. Alfred was one of the two children of the founder of the Chevrolet Motor Company. He chose not to work at Chevrolet, but began to work for the Bendix Corporation in the late 1930s until his retirement on an assembly line making parts for the automotive industry. On February 12, 1944, Rose married Alfred in South Bend, Indiana. They immediately moved to Detroit, where they were known by their friends as "the honeymooners." As often as they could, they traveled in their Chevrolet car, or went hiking or dancing. In her own words Rose said they "...lived a simple life..." During her life in Detroit, Rose was an active member of the Detroit Symphony Association. She also enjoyed interior design, and designed and tailored her own clothing throughout her entire life. Several years after Alfred's death in 1971, Rose returned to the South Bend area, sharing a home with her sister, Emma T. Rodgers, in Niles, Michigan. Both were members of St. Mary's parish and they contributed their services as altar servers and maintaining the linens and vestments used for Mass and other services. Rose was known for her daily walks, including opening St. Mary's church each morning for daily Mass. In 2003, Rose moved to Freedom Village in Holland, Michigan. She lived there for the past 6 years, and until very recently, she would daily walk their halls, encouraging other friends and residents to join her. While in Holland, Rose belonged to the Saint Francis DeSales Catholic Church. In addition to her husband. Rose was preceded in death by her sister, Emma T. Rogers on March 25,1996. Her surviving family includes a niece, Renee Chevrolet Goeke of Carmel, Indiana, Rene's daughter. Lisa (Dan) McDaniel and their children, Matthew McDaniel and Nicholas McDaniel, all of Noblesville, Indiana. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated for Rose G. Chevrolet at Noon (12:00 P.M.) on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Niles, Michigan. This Mass will be celebrated by Rev. William T. Melody, CSC, of Notre Dame, Indiana. Committal Services will follow at Calvary Cemetery, in Niles, Michigan. Friends may call at the Halbritter Funeral Home, in Niles from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, with praying of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday, June 9th from 11:00 until 11:45 a.m. Suggested contributions in memory of Rose Chevrolet may be made to the Saint Mary's Christian Service Center, the Freedom Village Scholarship Fund, St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church or any other organization of your choice.