Medina- Rose Ellen Bowen Kitanik, 82, peacefully passed on in her sleep on December 29, 2018, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's. She was born in West Shelby, NY on February 14, 1936, to the late John and Iva Bowen.
Rose was a hard worker, and for many years was known as "the lunch lady" at Oakfield High School, where she helped prepare daily lunches and ran the cash register. She knew all of the kids that me came through the lunch line, and enjoyed chatting with them. Rose also loved working with the rest of the cafeteria crew, where there was lots of laughter. She worked a few nights a week after her cafeteria day job at Genesee Farms Dairy, scooping ice cream and making milk shakes. Eventually she was employed by GM as a lineworker at Harrison Radiator in Lockport, where in over 30 years time, she rarely missed a day of work. However, she was happy to retire so she could spend more time with her children and grandkids.
Rose was a voracious reader, crossword puzzle solver, nature lover, seamstress and knitter, and a great baker, and was always willing to pass on her skills to whomever asked. She was also a great bird lover, feeding them and teaching others the different local species and what they ate. Rose loved all wildlife and thoroughly enjoyed living next to the refuge to see what came out of the woods. She particularly liked dogs and horses, and was known to take in a stray cat or five.
Above all, she loved her family, and was fiercely protective of, and dedicated, to them. She was mama to many more than her own children, and her door was always open to her nieces, nephews and grandkids for a shoulder to cry on, a problem to talk over, or a spare bedroom to camp out in. She was very proud of her English/Irish/Welsh/Dutch roots, and diligently searched out and kept track of genealogy from both of her parents. Rose also treasured the many family photos of her siblings and parents taken through the years.
Although she loved her entire large extended family, her greatest treasures were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she always put before herself. Rose will be deeply missed and always loved by all of her many nieces, nephews, sisters and children and grandchildren.
She leaves behind her sisters; Marcia Hartway, Marjorie Nesbitt, Lois Nanni, and Norma Waldron; her children, daughter Kathleen Kitanik Sims, son and daughter-in-law Jeff (Leanne) Kitanik, and daughter Nancy Kitanik; Grandchildren Heather Rose Kitanik Joyce, Amanda Kitanik Cukryznski, Ben Kitanik, Josh Kitanik, Ethan Kitanik, Sara Rotoli Brush, John Rotoli, and Bridget Arnett Bennett; Great grandchildren Lela Rose, Addie, Elliana, and Orlando Brush; Fiona Rose Joyce; Jack Kitanik and Colton Kitanik.
She was predeceased by siblings Jack Bowen, Ruth Bowen, Iva Caton, and her ex-husband Joseph Kitanik. She was also predeceased by infant great-grandson Logan Bennett, and her beloved baby boy, great -grandson Tyler Joseph Ryan Stennett.
At Rose's request, there will be no funeral services. There will be a remembrance service for her at the West Barre United Methodist Church Saturday, January 5, at 2p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, or Shriners Hospital for Children.
Pleae leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.burdettandsanford.com.
Arrangements for Rose were completed by the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, Oakfield, (585) 948-5325.
