Rosaline Philomena Curran

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Rosaline "Rose" Philomena Curran (September 17, 1932 – December 27, 2025). Rose, 93, of Caledonia and formerly Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family.

Rose was born on a small farm known as Cakestown in Kells, Ireland, the youngest child of James and Jane McNamee.  At 17, she moved to Dublin to work for the Irish Telephone Exchange and it was there she met her future husband, Cyril. They married in 1956 and immigrated to the United States, living in Toledo, Traverse City and eventually settling in Kalamazoo, where they resided for more than 60 years.

Rose was a dedicated wife, mother and community volunteer, sharing her talents with the Borgess Service League, Kalamazoo Garden Club, Comstock Senior Citizen Housing Committee and her children’s schools. She also contributed her time to secretarial duties when Cyril began his private medical practice.  An accomplished knitter and seamstress, Rose enjoyed using her many creative talents for others.  She was a skilled gardener and took great pleasure and pride in her home greenhouse in Kalamazoo, and loved giving visitors tours of her living collections of unusual flowering plants and cactus.  She relished being a grandmother and her grandchildren all looked forward to vacations spent with Grandma Rose and Grandad Cyril.  They have many fond memories of the fun activities she planned, the special trips to Florida as well as her great breakfasts and sandwiches.

Rose was preceded in death by three infant children; her husband, Cyril; brothers: Patrick and Ciaran and sister, Maureen. She leaves behind her cherished children, daughters: Deirdre (Roger), Eamar (Pat), Orla (Brian) and son, Brendan (Tracy); grandchildren: Liam, Nora (Dane), Nathan, Zachary, Declan and Emily; great-grand daughter, Fiona Rose and great-grand son, Rowan Cyril.  

Rose’s spirit lives on in the countless memories she created through times spent with those she loved most. Her legacy is one of love, service to others, and compassion. Though her earthly journey has ended, her love and influence will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Visitation with friends and family to celebrate Rose’s life will be held on Friday, January 23, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft Ave, SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. Visitation will take place from 10-11 a.m. with Mass beginning at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Special Olympics of Michigan (https://somi.org/waystogive).