Rose Mary Guy passed away on October 29, 2024 leaving behind a loving family including her three children Kynlan, Logan, and Emily Guy, her siblings and their spouses Susan and Jim Kathan, Christine Van Winkle, Phyllis Van Winkle, Janice and Mark Korsmo, Barbara and Mark Van Winkle, and many others she touched along her life's journey. She is loved very much and will be dearly missed.

Rose was born to Cecilia Nordstrom and Alfred Van Winkle in Spokane on Valentines Day 1952. She was the fourth child of six siblings. From Finch Elementary to Shade Park High School, she was active in many clubs including 4-H Club, Camp Fire Girls, High Lassies drill team, among others. She made many lifelong friendships along the way.

She moved to Pullman in 1970 to attend school at Washington State University and later graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1974. Rose was a sister in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and spent her summers working at Glacier National Park. After graduating, Rose spent her twenties living in the Bay Area of California before moving to the Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle. She moved back to her hometown of Spokane in 1980 to work at Farm Credit Bank.

Rose's career was dedicated in service to those most in need. She spent most of her career as an Adjudicator at Washington States Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) determining disability entitlements. She worked hard to make sure that those whom were disadvantaged and disabled received support.

Rose was destined to be a mother and devoted her entire life to the raising of her three children. Rose selflessly elevated her children's many needs over her own – taking time to listen, to care, and to guide her children to be the best versions of themselves.

Beyond motherhood, Rose's interests were many. As a Van Winkle, she had a natural love for gardening. Rose loved Roses. She spent countless hours in the summers tending to her large rose garden. Rose also loved Spokane's four seasons. During colder winter months, Rose would go all out decorating her home for Christmas and loved to bake shortbread cookies with her children.  She had a knack for making holidays special.

After becoming an empty nester, Rose replaced each of her children with a puppy: Elsie, Eli, and Elmo. She spent her free time traveling and reading under the watchful eye of her dogs. Rose made frequent trips around the Northwest, filling up an entire walking stick of medallions from her travels to National Parks. She loved spending time by the water whether it be at the lake, floating the river, or picking up seashells on the coast.

In September 2019, Rose was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and was given a six-month prognosis. Her treatment journey had many setbacks along the way, but against the odds she lived five years beyond her initial prognosis. While life was not easy, Rose never let circumstance determine the quality of her life. She fought courageously and found happiness in faith and hope. She did not stop living and enjoyed the time she had left with her loved ones, especially her children.

Rose was a devout Catholic who grew up in St. Charles Parish. She raised her children in St. Thomas Moore Parish and taught CCD classes there as well. She spent her later years at St. Aloysius. Her faith was a guiding light for her when she needed it the most.

Rose was a strong and resilient woman. She will be remembered for living her life with grace, unconditional kindness, and genuine compassion for others. She cared for those around her with great love and gentleness. We were lucky to call her our Mother.

She is in our hearts and in the hearts of all those near and dear.