Rosalyn (Connolly) Edwards, 92, died surrounded by her husband and family on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Friendship Manor/Silver Cross in Rock Island, Ill.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2502 29th Avenue, Rock Island, Ill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., at St. Pius, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. A luncheon will follow at St. Pius' McCarthy Hall. The Mass of Christian burial will be live streamed via the following link: https://vimeo.com/1030497669/682c909caa

Rose was born Jan. 15, 1932, in Bath, Ill., the youngest daughter of Verla (Meegge) and Joseph M. Connolly. She graduated from Bath-Lynchburg Community High School in 1950 and moved to the Quad-Cities soon after.

In 1954, mutual friends arranged a blind date for Rose with Frank Edwards, which sparked a 70-plus year love affair. After they married on April 16, 1955, they had six children, Teresa, Jim, Tom, Sue, and the twins, Mary and Liz. The story of the twins' unanticipated home birth on Sue's birthday was one of Rose's favorite stories.

During their many years in their Rock Island home, Rose was the neighborhood expert on gardening (their yard won several awards), as well as a hostess and baker of note. Her cookies, breads, and sour cream coffee cake were prized by family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

When the kids were older, Rose worked for the Rock Island County Health Department, spending nearly 20 years testing the ears and eyes of school children across the county.

In retirement, Rose and Frank hosted or traveled with friends (especially Dick and Elaine Henke, who arranged their blind date). They also loved to visit their children and grandchildren across the country. Most of all they loved to spend time with each other — their devotion was a model for family and friends.

Rose is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Frank Edwards; their children, Teresa Adams, Jim (Cindy) Edwards, Tom Edwards (Ann Heiden), Susan (Scott) Kies, Mary (Keith) Johnson, and Liz Boardman; their 13 grandchildren and their spouses/partners; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jerry, Lyle, Joe, and Stan, her sister, Marilyn, and son-in-law, Mark Adams.

Rose's children and grandchildren thank their dad/grampa for his extraordinary care of Rose over the last few years. In addition, the family thanks Dr. Shawn Keevan, and also the staff at Friendship Manor/New Friendships and especially Silver Cross for their loving care of Rose in the past few months.

Memorials may be made in Rose's honor to Friendship Manor, 1209 21st Ave., Rock Island, 61201, for the Employee Appreciation Fund.