Rose Francis Williamson, a resident of Burlington for the past 5 years, passed away Friday, December 24, 2004 at the Burton Care Center in Burlington, WA, at the age of 96 years. She was born November 26, 1908 in Great Oak, Iowa, the daughter of Marion and Catherine O’Conner Arganbright. Rose was married to John Williamson on December 28, 1928 in Wibaux, Montana residing there and later moving to Ohio. They later moved to Bellingham, WA and resided there for many years. During that time, they lived in Alaska during the summers while her husband John worked as an electrician at various fish canneries. They later moved to Bullhead City, AZ, residing there for over 30 years. She was a member of the Women of the Moose, Elks Club, Royal Neighbors, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Bullhead City, AZ, and Catholic Daughters of America.
Rose is survived by her daughter Rosemary Roskilly and her husband Ray of Fairbury, NB, her son Tom Williamson and his wife Bettie of Newman, CA, and a son Joe Williamson and his wife Becky of Burlington, WA. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 18 great great grandchildren, her sisters-in-laws Helen Williamson of Sun City, AZ and Mae Stayton of Portland, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John in October of 1994, 4 sisters Alice Kegel, Hazel Chaffee, Cora Duffy, and Cecilia Arganbright, 2 brothers Perry and Emmett Arganbright, 2 sisters-in-law Jane Williamson, Lucille Buchanan and a brother-in-law Tom Williamson.
Mom was a loving wife, a loving mother and a loving grandmother. She and Dad loved to travel & camp through the years. She enjoyed Bingo and Indian Art as well as shopping with her daughter and granddaughters, taking long drives and stopping for coffee. When you came to visit, she cooked way too much food and you always went away with food for the trip. She used her needlework and beading skills to create beautiful gifts which we all enjoy. She had a unique outlook on life that will always be remembered. She holds a special place in our hearts and will be greatly missed.
Graveside Services will be held Monday, January 3, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Desert Lawn Memorial Gardens in Mohave Valley, AZ, under the direction of Desert Lawn Funeral Home with Father Peter Debrowski of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church officiating. Local arrangements under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, WA.