Rose Skelly

NEW MIDDLETOWN - Prayers will be held Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. at St. Christine Church for Rose D. Skelly, 98, formerly of Austintown, who passed away early Friday morning at Masternick Memorial Health Care Center.

She was born Feb. 23, 1921, in Dunkirk, N.Y., a daughter of the late Rocco and Angeline (Rado) Acquavia.

Rose graduated from Dunkirk High School. She was dedicated to her family and raising her children. She was a member of St. Christine Church, where she was active in their choir, Infant of Prague, Bereavement Dinner Committee and the Care Team.

Her husband, Louis W. Skelly, whom she married Sept. 20, 1941, passed away Jan. 4, 1997.

Rose is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Collins of Youngstown and Charolette Eskay of Youngstown; two sons, Robert Skelly of Morganton, N.C., and Brian (Betsy) Skelly of Gallatin, Tenn.; 18 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jean Adamczac of Dunkirk, N.Y.

She was also preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Acquavia, Carmel Leone, Nancy St. George, and Helen Pantano; two brothers, Frank Acquavia and Msgr. Pat Acquavia; an infant brother, Danny Acquavia; and a grandson, Danny Collins.

Family and friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to All Care Hospice, 6715 Tippecanoe Road Suite B-101, Canfield, OH 44406; or Masternick Memorial Health Care Center, 250 Windsor Way, New Middletown, OH 44442.