Rosalyn "Rose" Thorpe

Rosalyn “Rose” Thorpe, age 91, of Traverse City, MI, died Sunday, January 31, 2021, on the feast day of St. John Bosco, at her home surrounded by family members.  Born September 11, 1929 she was the daughter of Louis and Rose Daley and one of 11 siblings.  Rosalyn suffered in silence much of her adult life from various ailments which eventually took her from her family and placed her safely in God’s arms.  She taught her family that suffering was a grace given by God and that you offer it up selflessly for the salvation of souls.

She went to school at St. Rose Grade School and Lima Central Catholic High School.  She was also blessed with the gift of art, mastering the disciplines of oil paintings, portraits, sketches, drawings, carvings, kiln dried pottery painting, designing and building miniature houses, architectural drawings, etc.  Several of her art creations were based on her great love for Jesus and Our Blessed Mother.

Growing up in a big fun-loving Italian family, Rose was not only known for her striking beauty, she was also a great athlete.  So much so, she was asked to try out for the first women’s professional baseball league as featured in the movie “A League of Their Own”.  She also had an early passion for music, playing the accordion and later sang with the Sweet Adelines.

It was a chance encounter at the Daley household when her brother, Louie, brought one of his baseball teammates home for dinner that changed the course of her life forever.  Ralph Thorpe asked Rose Daley for a date and the rest is history as they married shortly after.

She and her husband, Ralph, were married for 60-years and raised seven children.  Their family’s journey included moving to 5 different states before settling in Traverse City in 1978.  A driving force in their journey was their Catholic faith and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  This unwavering faith led them on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to six visionaries.  This life-changing event inspired them to honor Our Blessed Mother by forming “Our Lady’s Prayer Group” that still thrives today in Traverse City.  Rose also spent many years volunteering her time at the Carmelite Monastery.

Rose is survived by her seven children, Anthony (Pamela) Thorpe, Robert (Debbie) Thorpe, Paul Thorpe, James (Becky) Thorpe, David Thorpe, Margaret Thorpe, and John (Michelle) Thorpe.  She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, her brother, Louie Daley, and two sisters, Janet Depalma and Patricia Crose.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Thorpe, one grandson, Mark Thorpe, parents Louis and Rose Daley, and 7 brothers and sisters.

Visitation will take place at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. which is one hour prior to The Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Saturday, February 13th, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.  The Celebration of the Mass will be live-streamed by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.  Graveside services will be held at the Gethsemani Cemetery, Lima, OH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carmelite Monastery, 3501 Silver Lake Rd., Traverse City, MI 49684.

Funeral arrangements have been made by Chamberlain Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima, Ohio.  Please visit their website at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com to share your memories and condolences with the family.