Rose Marie “Rosie” Stieber

Rose Marie “Rosie” Stieber, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at age 96.

Born May 21, 1928, in Detroit, Rosie had two siblings, Katherine Charnow, (deceased) (the late Charles) and Albert Hartford (Yvonne). Rosie was a student at St. Rose School, where she formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. She first crossed paths with William “Bill” Stieber on the dance floor in high school and their connection was undeniable. On Oct. 1, 1949, they exchanged vows and built a life filled with love and adventure. They welcomed nine children: Robert (Emelita), William Jr. (Tricia), Thomas (Claudia), John (deceased), Patrick (Cindy), Mark (deceased) (Mary), Daniel (deceased), Timothy (Mary Grace) and Kimberly (Michael). After 13 years apart, Bill and Rosie now are lovingly reunited. Rosie’s family grew to include 20 grandchildren: Jennifer (Stephen), Robert (deceased), William, Claire, Katherine, Elizabeth, Leslie, Scott (Gwen), Nicholas, John (LaCina), Allyson (Santiago), Matthew (Emily), Nicole (Peter), Julianne, Andrew, Rebecca (Kevin), Raymond, Nathan, Matthew and Peter. She also was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren: Bethany, Beau, Jacob, Noah, Riley, Grace, Daniel, Mary, Samuel, Sophie, Sutton, Michael, Jackson, Jasmine, Benjamin, Evelyn, Isabel, Audrey and James. Rosie lived a full life, maintaining her independence throughout her years. Known for her warm hospitality, she hosted the extended family for backyard barbecues every Sunday afternoon during the summer and cooked Thanksgiving dinner every year. She lived with an open-door policy and her family knew they could always count on her to have gummy bears, ice cream and cheap beer for anyone who stopped by. Her philosophy on living a long and healthy life was simple but profound: “Never turn down an invitation. Go even if you don’t want to. … You’ll always enjoy yourself.” The past 40 years, she spent her winters in Longboat Key, Fla., where she enjoyed the sunshine and frequent visits of friends and family. Rosie also was an avid traveler, having visited 49 states and numerous countries around the world, embracing new experiences and cultures. In her younger days, she also enjoyed camping with her family and was active at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church and Austin Catholic Preparatory School. Rosie was an avid bridge player and reader, passions she continued to enjoy regularly until the end of her life. As a volunteer, Rosie dedicated 35 years of service to Bon Secours/Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe and 18 years at Mote Marine in Sarasota, Fla. She also ushered for several years at theaters in the Detroit and Sarasota areas. While she was an exceptional conversationalist and had an enviable memory, Rosie’s biggest gift was making people feel special. Rosie’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends who will carry forward her legacy of kindness and beautiful spirit.

Services will be held Friday, Aug. 23, at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, 1401 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliot, Detroit, MI 48215.