Rose J. Rhatigan

Cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Rose Oliver Rhatigan, passed away in the early morning of June 24, 2021, at age 95.  Rose began life in Bardo, Kentucky, on June 26, 1925, the fourth of five children born to Bessie Cureton Oliver and Pleas Wade Oliver.

Her intense love of family was rooted in her Kentucky childhood.  She often recounted stories of her beloved parents and the mischievous adventures of her brothers and sisters.

Rose was a high school student at Pine Mountain Settlement Boarding School in Harlan, Kentucky.  She was an excellent student, and she enjoyed her time spent learning there.  She often spoke of Sunny Jim — a Pine Mountain horse she loved to ride whenever the opportunity arose.

After high school, Rose left Kentucky to attend a Government Sponsored training program at Miami of Ohio University.  While in Ohio, she met and fell in love with a handsome young, red-haired soldier from Brooklyn, New York, named Patrick Rhatigan.  Rose and Patrick were married on July 19, 1943, and remained together for 77 years until his recent passing on December 30, 2020.

After World War II, the couple settled in New York, and then moved to Maryland, with their infant daughter, Patricia.  They later completed their family with daughters, Lynne and Mary.

For many years, Patrick and Rose owned and operated "Pat's Grocery" on Church Street in Brooklyn Park, and witnessed generations of local kids and their families pass through their door.

Rose was an avid reader who was usually juggling multiple novels at one time.  She also enjoyed dancing and spending time with her friends at O'Malley Senior Center.  Her heart was happiest when her family surrounded her, whether at a holiday gathering or just spending time with her at home.

Rose is survived by her three daughters and their spouses—Patricia Spencer and husband John, Lynne Miller and husband Cassius, Mary Livengood and husband, Richard.  She is also survived by grandchildren, Gregory Spencer (Erica), Keith Spencer (Heather), Hank Turowski, III (Christine), Patrick Turowski, Macy Rose Livengood, and great-grandchildren, Kaelyn Girard, Tiffany Spencer, Morgan Spencer, and Declan Spencer.  Also, surviving are sisters and brothers-in-law, Frank and Barbara Rhatigan, Catherine and James Sluyk, and many much-loved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Rose was predeceased by her beloved husband, Patrick J. Rhatigan, her brothers and sisters, Arville Oliver, Pleas Wade Oliver Jr, Virginia Linkenhoker, and Norma Sellers.

A public remembrance will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, P.A., in Glen Burnie, MD.   A memorial will follow on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 10 am at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, where Rose will rest with her husband, Patrick.