Rose Marie Roth

Rose Marie Roth, 90, of St. Joseph, died September 10, 2017 surrounded by her family. Rose Marie was born June 17, 1927, in Chicago to Samuel and Marie (Finley) Klein. Rose Marie grew up in Chicago where she attended Wright College. She worked for CBS radio, Chicago, performing in a variety of programs and had acting roles in popular radio dramas. On February 5, 1950 Rose Marie and Norman G. Roth were married at Temple Sholom in Chicago. The couple moved to Champaign-Urbana where both attended the University of Illinois. While Norm completed his PhD, Rose Marie took classes and worked for the local newspaper where she had her own “Where to Go” column, and wrote jingles for area businesses. Following college, the couple moved to Frederick, Md. and began their family. Rose Marie had her own radio program on station WFMD. She joined the community theater and enjoyed acting on stage. She also worked in summer stock Equity theater becoming eligible for Equity membership. The couple moved to St. Joseph with their growing family in 1957. For several years Rose Marie hosted a radio talk show on station WSJM. Rose Marie was an actress and loved theater. She was a member of Twin City Players for 60 years. Rose Marie took the stage in many leading roles. She also worked behind the scenes in almost every capacity over the years, and hosted numerous Players meetings and parties in her home. Rose Marie was a member of many community organizations including the Krasl Art Center, YWCA, League of Women Voters, Lakeland volunteers, St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, Hadassah, and Temple B’nai Shalom serving in a variety of volunteer roles. She loved children and taught religious school for 45 years. Her family was most important to her. Rose Marie was a dedicated mom to her six children. She loved her family of children, grand children, and great-grandchildren and loved to celebrate their birthdays and holidays with them. Rose Marie was a vibrant conversationalist and story teller. She had a great sense of humor. She had endless energy and gave freely of her time and talent. She was a loving, caring, and generous wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Rose Marie and Norm enjoyed 57 years of marriage until his death in 2007. She was also preceded in death by her son Joseph in 2011. She is survived by her children, Sue Roth McAllister, Bill Roth, Ginny Roth Privett, Sandy (Kevin) Roth Greening, David (Amanda) Roth; grandchildren, Angeline McAllister and Cassandra McAllister Self; Sasha (Derrick) Roth Phipps and Ruby Roth; Jessica (Jack) Privett Skinner, Noah, and Drew Privett; Jacob Greening; Emily Roth, Dustin, Devyn, and Donaven McLennan; great-grandchildren, Annabelle Scott; Logan and Kingston Phipps; Veronica and Summer Privett; and her sister Marilyn Klein. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, September 14, at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial will follow at B’nai Sholom Cemetery, Benton Harbor. Shiva service will be held at 7:30 pm at Temple B’nai Shalom. Those wishing to sign Rose Marie’s Guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Donations may be made to Twin City Players, St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, or Temple B’nai Shalom. May her memory be a blessing.