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Rose Marie Pergola De Long, 77, passed away Monday, July 6, 2009, at her home in Stafford County.
Born and raised in Reading, Pa., she graduated from Reading High School in 1949. She was a member of the color guard in the Temple Drum and Bugle Corps when she met the love of her life, Clyde S. De Long Jr. After a whirlwind romance that involved poetry writing on his part, they were married in 1951.
Their lifelong love story was full of fun-filled adventures, laughter, trust, respect and compromise.
Rose thrived on supporting her husband as a Marine Corps wife. She enjoyed re-establishing a home each time they moved to a new station; and was quite the gracious hostess. Rose and her husband lived in Woodbridge from 1965 until 1981, during which time she worked for the federal government.
Rose and her husband moved to sunny Fort Myers, Fla., where she later retired from the Social Security Administration. In 1995, they returned to Virginia and built their home in Stafford County.
Her family remembers her most as a devoted wife and loving mother whose self-sacrificing nature was an example to all. She was always involved with her children's lives, serving as a Scout leader, seamstress and field-trip mom. As they got older, she was always there to help with projects, give loving counsel, support their decisions and encourage them through tough or disappointing times. Rose demonstrated to her family strength and courage in the face of devastating circumstances.
While battling cancer herself, she tirelessly cared for her husband until he passed away in 2007.
Rose was an organizer and a doer who never stopped until she achieved what she set out to do. She loved being outdoors and working in the yard, usually with the "bestest doggie in the whole wide world" Duke by her side. Treasuring time with her family, she enjoyed visits with her four children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Preceded in death by her husband, Clyde S. De Long Jr., Rose is survived by her daughters: Kathleen Vigneaux and her husband, Richard, Carole Dial and her husband, Mark, and Karen Thompson and her husband, Jeff; her son, Clyde S. De Long III; her grandchildren, Amy and her husband, Carlos, Krissy and her husband, Rob, Katie, Becky, Stacie, Michael, Taylor, Tim, Molly, Ali, Matthew, Carrie and Lauren; one great-grandson, Cristiano, and another great-grandchild due in August.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the USMC Memorial Chapel in Quantico. A graveside service will be held later in July in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Va. 22040.
Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service is in charge of services.
