Jean Elaine Rose, 75
Jean Elaine Rose
March 9, 1950 – December 23, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jean “Jeanie” Rose, who left us peacefully on December 23 at the age of 75. She was a beloved mother, family member, friend, community activist and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.
Life and Legacy
Jean was born on March 9, 1950 in Wareham to Henry Benjamin Tavares and Bertha (Pires) Tavares. She grew up in Rochester, MA and graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 1968 where she was voted Class Clown of her graduating class. She also completed several certificate courses including paralegal studies at Fisher College and a Clemente Course in Humanities at UMASS Dartmouth.
Jean dedicated her professional life to a nursing/caregiving career, working at various agencies and for individuals for over 25 years. In her early career she worked for New England Telephone as an operator. In 1981 she drove her family across the country to Colorado for a fresh start. There she was employed by the Arapahoe County Sheriff Department, Intrawest Bank of Denver and worked additional jobs to support her children as a single parent. Upon returning to Massachusetts in 1987, she worked in the fast food business, Department of Revenue, and with women in a domestic violence center. In the early 90’s she moved to Washington DC to work as a paralegal. She returned to Massachusetts and began working in the healthcare industry as a CNA and ultimately retired as a PCA. She was a foster parent and a big sister for a number of years as well. She was a strong advocate for child support enforcement laws. She had the opportunity to testify to the US Congress and was present when Governor Weld signed into legislation strict enforcement around child support (specifically aiming to track down absent parents and making child support a priority). She will be remembered for hardworking nature, diligence, dedication to her family and her social justice nature.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jeanie volunteered as a baby nurse to babies born with an addiction. She was a radio host on WBSM. Jean was a long time volunteer of the Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association and a member of the $100 Club. She was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church where she would cook food, volunteer time to food pantry, bazaar and travel with her church community on several site-seeing trips to the Mid-Atlantic. She was happiest cooking or baking for family and friends.
Jeanie was known as the family ambassador. She was the go-between for the numerous clans in our vast family. She travelled to Mexico and the Caribbean and on her first cruise with Liz and subsequently with Christine earlier this year. She travelled with Eddie to Florida several times as well. Jeanie was happiest in her kitchen or at the beach. She has always been active from bike riding until her hip replacement in 2014, jazzercise, water aerobics and in these most recent years, yoga and pilates.
Family
Jeanie is survived by her loving children: Christine Rose and Courtneay Small (partner) of Mattapan, MA; Elizabeth Siggers and David Siggers (husband) of Milton, MA; Marla Rose of New Bedford, MA and Edward Rose Jr of Rochester, MA. She was also a cherished sibling of Barbara Sullivan of Marion, MA and Maryellen Gomes of Marietta, GA. She was the beloved grandmother to Mikel, Marquise, Ominique, Alexis and Ronae (great niece) and stepdaughter Ashley (Stevie) Hailey. Jeanie, fondly known as Yayee to the following great grandchildren Markel, Kyh-el, Pharaoh, Cameron and Chloe Hailey. She was the mother/grandmother figure to many others.
She was preceded in death by her siblings Julieanne Lopes of New Bedford, MA and Benjamin Tavares of New Bedford, MA.
Funeral Services
A funeral service will be held at Calvary Pentecostal Church, 33 Braley Rd., Freetown, MA on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 12 pm. The repast will be held at Marion Social Club, Marion 44 Pumping Station Rd., Marion, MA at 2 pm.
The family requests that donations be dedicated to Jean Rose's memory at https://gifts.mdanderson.org/ and directed to James P. Allison Institute. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center P.O. Box 4486 Houston, Texas 77210-4486.
Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com
