Nan Ballantyne Rose, 95, died February 23, 2022, in McKinney, Texas, where she had moved to be near her daughter, Kathy Rose Simmerman, after living in Connersville most of her life.
Born October 13, 1926, in Kenmore, New York, she was the fifth of six children born to William and Jeanette MacGregor Ballantyne, who had immigrated to the United States from Scotland by way of Canada before Mrs. Rose’s birth. Throughout her life, she was extremely proud of her 100 percent Scottish heritage.
On May 1, 1948, she married Willis E. Rose at the Kenmore United Presbyterian Church after the pair had met at Linde Air Products in Tonawanda, New York, where they were both employed. Shortly thereafter they moved to Connersville when Mr. Rose, a Fayette County native and Rose Poly graduate, took an engineering position with Roots-Blower. After serving as organist at Peace Lutheran Church, Mrs. Rose was hired in 1978 as full- time organist at Central Christian Church, a position she held for 25 years until her retirement in 2002. For many years she was also employed as part-time organist for St. Gabriel Catholic Church and as substitute organist for several other churches in Connersville. She particularly enjoyed consulting with brides-to-be and playing at their weddings. She often claimed that she had likely “married” half the couples in Connersville.
Very active in the Presbyterian Church, she was a Deacon and had been president of the Women’s Association. She especially loved accompanying community choirs in several productions of “The Messiah” that were sponsored by the church. A member of John Conner Players in the 1970’s, Mrs. Rose served as the piano accompanist for many of their productions and was recognized with an Outstanding Service Award.
She was a member of Historic Connersville and the ladies of BPO Elks #379, in addition to being active in the Fayette County Republican Party. She and her husband were honored by the party with the R.L. “Dock” Haley Chairman’s Republican Service Award in 2009. Mrs. Rose served as Jennings Township precinct committeewoman and was elected to the Jennings Township Advisory Board.
An avid bridge player, she was a member of numerous bridge groups. She was also an excellent bowler and belonged to several leagues for many years. In addition, Mrs. Rose was an accomplished seamstress and quilter.
She is survived by her three children: Kathy (Darrell) Rose Simmerman of McKinney, Texas; Mark (Susan) Rose of Lutz, Florida; and Cynthia Rose Crispin of Connersville. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Jennifer King, David Simmerman, Emily Rose, Evan Rose, and William Rose, along with four great-grandchildren, Andrew King, Madison King, Olivia Simmerman, and Courtney Leblanc.
In addition, Mrs. Rose leaves behind a special niece, Judith Kline of Augusta, Georgia.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, who died February 27, 2018, and by her five siblings.
Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022, with Pastor Judy Fitchett of Jamestown, North Carolina officiating, assisted by Pastor Beau Brown. Burial will follow in Dale Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Urban Winkler Funeral Home on Friday, March 11, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Humane Society, P.O. Box 344, Connersville, IN 47331.
Published by Connersville News Examiner on Feb. 28, 2022.