Schenevus, NY - Rose Serafen passed away at 101 years old, just shy of her 102nd birthday shortly after suffering a stroke. She was born on November 29, 1911 and passed away on September 1, 2013 at her home in Henderson NV.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Dick) M. Serafen and his wife, Louise M.( Abate) Serafen of Henderson NV, and by her grandsons, Steven E. Serafen , Andrew A. Serafen and granddaughters Elaine S.(Serafen) Marchant and Lisa Marie Pinney and their spouses; 8 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins along with some very dear friends.

She was the wife of the late Peter M. Serafen and grandmother of the late Richard (Rick) P. Serafen.


Rose was a member of St. Mary's church in Schenevus. Rose had lived on the family farm in Elk Creek since she was a 9 years old. You could find her daily on the farm milking cows, in the garden and tending to their chickens. She was a hard working woman that was no stranger to any piece of farm equipment. She had a passion for plants, and had what we call a "green thumb". Many of us survivors have a piece of hers and HER mother's Christmas cactus that has been passed down through 150 years and going on 6 generations. It was hard to visit Rose without being offered a slice of banana bread from her favorite recipe file. She enjoyed a good cup of tea and welcomed anyone she could engage in a conversation . If you were close to Rose then you would have received a card without fail on your birthday and any other special occasion, she never missed a date! In her latter years she moved to Norwich NY to be near her son Dick and daughter in law Louise and many of her grands. When she was the ripe young age of 94 she followed them to their new home in Henderson NV. She often said to me "I never in my wildest imagination thought that I would be across the country living in Las Vegas!" and she would laugh....in disbelief! We all have stories we hold deep in our hearts of Rose. May God rest her soul and save ours.

Due to extenuating circumstances her memorial service was cancelled last year. We will be holding a graveside memorial service 11:00 A.M.on Monday Sept. 1, 2014 the anniversary of her death, at the Schenevus Cemetery and officiated by Father Ron Green. Please feel free to attend.

Expression of sympathy may be made at www.hellerfuneralhome.com. The Heller Funeral Home in Schenevus is assisting the family.