Eileen Rose

One is never truly ready to say goodbye to someone so special—even at 101 years old. 

Eileen Gibbons Rose passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She remained in her home in Westfield, New Jersey with the support of devoted family members and several very special caregivers who helped make it possible for her to live there comfortably.

Eileen will be remembered for the kindness and warmth she brought to everyday life. She had a gentle spirit, a ready smile, and a deep love for the people around her. At the same time, those who knew her well also knew her fiercely competitive side—especially on the golf course, where she loved the challenge of a good match and never gave up until the final putt dropped.

Eileen was born on February 11, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late William and Christine (née Frank) Gibbons. She was predeceased by her brothers, Fr. William Gibbons and Robert W. Gibbons and her sister, Jeanne McGroder. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s Academy, carrying with her the strong values of faith, family, and perseverance that guided her throughout her life.

Early in her career, Eileen worked for NACA (the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), the organization that later became NASA. It was there that she met the love of her life, A. William “Bill” Rose. They married in 1954 and began a life together that would take them from Ohio to the East Coast while Bill served in the U.S. Navy as a submariner in Connecticut. Eventually they settled in Westfield, New Jersey, where they raised their family and built a lifetime of friendships and memories.

Later in life, they fulfilled a shared dream by building a home on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina—a place they loved for its sunshine, golf, family vacations and the welcome escape it provided from northern winters.

Golf was one of Eileen’s great joys and she approached the game with both skill and determination. She held several golf championship titles in Ohio and New Jersey and was an 6-time club champion at Echo Lake Country Club, where she also competed on the Metropolitan and Mid-Jersey women’s golf teams. She proudly holds the family record with five holes-in-one, but perhaps even more impressive was her steady, consistent play. Anyone who played with her knew that no matter the score, she could never be counted out of a match.

While she loved the game of golf, Eileen’s greatest pride and joy was always her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She led by example, showing those around her the importance of kindness, integrity, loyalty, and dedication to family. Her quiet strength and generous heart touched many lives.

Eileen was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill, in 2017. She is survived by her son, Thomas W. Rose and his wife, Sandy; her daughter, Linda Marie Rose; her grandsons, Justin T. Rose and his wife Madison, and Michael W. Rose; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Arlo Armon and Silvia Rose. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 30, from 4-8pm at the Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave, Westfield.  Funeral mass will be on Tuesday, March 31st at 10:30am at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, Mountainside, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield.

Those who loved her will always picture her sitting peacefully in her favorite chair, watching the birds, deer, and fox that visited her backyard—one of the many simple joys that filled her long and beautiful life.