Rose M. Kirkley was born in the small town of Mt. Savage Maryland on 11/18/30 to Thomas Conroy Campbell and Lillian Eloise Skelley Campbell. She was one of four children - 2 sisters, Sally and Patricia, and Richard, her brother who have all predeceased her.

Rose grew up in very humble and somewhat tumultuous beginnings, which enabled her to deal with whatever life brought her way. She met the love of her life, Earle L. Kirkley (d. 08/05/10) in 1951 at a party at his house in Baltimore. He wrote her number down with a yellow crayon on yellow paper, but somehow they reconnected. They were married in July, 1952 and after a honeymoon trip to Cape May, NJ they moved to Blacksburg VA where Earle was completing his degree at Virginia Polytech Institute.

In August, 1953 in Baltimore MD, they welcomed their first daughter, Diana, followed the next year by Elizabeth in Texas where Earle was stationed while in the Army. They returned to Baltimore where Debbie was born. In 1957, Earle and Rose left Maryland for Orlando, Florida where two more girls, Karen and Patti, were born as well as three sons, Earle III, Bob, and Ken.

She spent many years of her life doing what she did best - being a wonderful mother to her children. She was quite proficient at cooking meals enough for an army, sewing matching clothes, caring for multiple kids with chicken pox, sandwich-making, household management, and planning the best holidays ever! She was a prankster and a confidante to her children and grandchildren. Rose was well known for being a great cook/baker. She even created her own cookbook, "What's For Dinner Mom?".

During her lifetime, she worked off and on as a secretary/administrative assistant in several places. She also spent many years catering weddings and decorating cakes (which were quite popular). But her primary occupation was being a mother of eight children and then three grandchildren, Allen, Bryan and Kevin. All who were raised by her were blessed with her loving spirit, her listening ears, her generous time and her unconditional caring.

In addition to her family, her life's passion was for her church, St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Her love of the Catholic Church was inspired by her Aunt Mary, a Notre Dame nun. If she wasn't at home she was most likely at the church:
•Attending St. Gerard's Circle meetings
•Serving as an officer of the Circle and Council of Catholic Women
•Organizing craft-making for the Community Fest
•Decorating tables for the annual St. Patrick's Day Luncheon
•Being a Eucharistic Minister – sometimes taking communion to those who were homebound
•Sewing new altar cloths and other miscellaneous linens for church use
Throughout her 58 years as a member of the church, she made long lasting friendships with many women in her circle. If they ever needed anything, she was there for them. Rose is the last surviving original member of St. Gerard's Circle, which has now gathered in heaven watching over us all.

Rose was always known for her beautiful smile. In her later years, following a stroke, there was not a doctor, nurse, or caregiver who wouldn't tell you about how much her smile meant to them. She experienced much joy in her life due to family and friends and gave as much joy to others. Our mother will be truly missed.

She is survived by daughters -Debbie Kirkley, Karen Kirkley (Jack) Conrad, Patricia Kirkley and sons – Earle (Robin) Kirkley; Bob (Cindi) Kirkley; Ken Kirkley; the grandsons she raised - Allen (Jodi) Gast, Jr., Bryan (Elizabeth) Gast, and Kevin Gast. Other grandchildren include Brendan Best, Don Conrad, James (Ashley) Conrad, Rob Conrad, Earle (Rebeccah) Kirkley IV, Katelyn (Caleb) Knapp, Diana (Anthony) Jeffers, Doug (Sarah) Kirkley, Rob Kirkley, Rachel Kirkley, Ryan Kirkley, Lauren Kirkley,18 great-grandchildren and a brother-in-law, George (Nancy) Kirkley.
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Visitation will be held from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021 at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL 32751.

Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 861 Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL Live Stream link at: https://stmarymagdalen.org/SacramentsAndLiturgies/Funerals.aspx

Burial will follow the Mass at 3:30p.m. at Glen Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, FL 32789.

The family of Rose Kirkley invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church - Council of Catholic Women