Arrangements for the funeral of Rose Booker
Friday 6th March 2020 10am
Oakley Wood Crematorium
Family and friends are gathering at Oakley Wood Crematorium (North Chapel) to acknowledge Rose’s death, and to celebrate her life.
Please gather outside the North Chapel at 10am. Rose’s family have asked that her coffin be placed in the Chapel before the service begins.
The celebration of Rose’s life will continue in Henley In Arden, near Rose’s house. The family would love to see you for a sandwich, scones and a chat at Henley in Arden Guild Hall.
Rose’s family welcome any tributes, words of remembrance and stories about her so do feel free to leave any messages at the bottom of this webpage. (Comments are moderated so may not appear immediately.)
Please share this link with anyone you feel may wish to know about Rose’s funeral.
Address: Oakley Wood, Bishop’s Tachbrook, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QP
A map can be found by clicking this link
Address: Henley in Arden Guild Hall, Beaudesert Lane, B95 5JY
A map can be found by clicking this link
Rose wanted a Humanist ceremony and for her guests to wear whatever they wanted- so please feel free to wear something colourful.
Rose requested that no flowers should be brought to her cremation please.
She was never keen to talk about her illness and chose not to take support from hospices or cancer charities. Instead Rose chose to think positively and focus on her love of people, friends, animals and the natural world. In remembering her, Rose’s family would like to do the same.
Please don’t feel that you need to make a donation but if you would like to, the family have chosen three options they know that she would have liked;
Rose loved trees, woods and all things nature. The Woodland Trust are a registered charity who you can support by buying trees, arranging memorial plantings, or simply by becoming a member.
Rose loved to walk and was a member of this charity. In her last few days, she lay peacefully with her eyes closed and remembered the lovely places she’d hiked. The Ramblers is a charity whose goal is to protect people’s sense of freedom and the benefits of being outdoors on foot.
Rose was never a huge fan of dogs, but did train a family guide dog puppy called Pedro for a short time. She also recently sponsored another puppy. The Guide Dogs Centre where Pedro went to be trained happens to be just down the road from the crematorium. The family would welcome any donations to help this cause.
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Memories of Rose
We were at primary school together but don’t remember much of that time. We lived about 10 minutes walk from each other and as 12 year olds Judith Purdy (Vollans) and sometimes Liz Harrison (Bradley) and I met at Rose’s house for a sewing session. No idea what we sewed, but Judith and I both remember we frequently descended into fits of giggles to the point where I had to turn my skirt around to cover a rather damp patch with my apron. Those sort of giggles happened frequently over the years.
I loved going around to Rose’s, not least because her Mum made a delicious chocolate cake! Whenever Rog and I visited, Rose made us lovely meals and puds so her mother’s influence had left a mark. She was a great host and made sure we went to places of interest, gardens etc. There is something special about having a friend going back to early days and whenever we reconnected we carried on as before.
We only fell out once, A group of us, testing each other for a cycling proficiency test whilst sat on the school playing field. Rose and I had a disagreement as to where the crown of the road was and as she left I made a mean comment about her legs. Over 60 years ago but I still remember!
I last saw Rose 2 weeks before she died. We talked about growing old and the sadness of not seeing our wonderful grandchildren as adults (unless we lived to a grand old age) I high fived her and said “Let’s get to 80”. Sadly that was not to be for my dear friend but I know her love for her family will live on in their hearts and all our memories are the greater for knowing her.
Thank you Rose for being my friend.
Shirley C
Ah such a sad time for us all Shirl, thanks for your memories. I’ve not heard that one about the bike test before! Mum always loved seeing you both. Jez x
Rog and I remember Pedro so we are donating to Guide Dogs for the blind
Another memory from the early sixties! Rose had a big crush on BILLY FURY I expect brother Tony can remember the house fillled with his songs
Rose was a very special person with a lovely family who have and are so kind to my dad. Thank you Rose for making my dad so happy and for always being so kind to my little boy Harry. You left us too soon and will be sorely missed. Thank you for everything, we will always remember you and keep the memories in our hearts x love Sarah and Harry xxx
Thanks Sarah, lovely words, Mum built such happy memories with your Dad and our France trip! thank you for your thoughts x
For me, Rosemary ticked all the boxes of what a true friend should be. She was funny, loyal, compassionate and discreet. She was a great listener and wise counsellor.
We had such great times together and she was an easy and fun travelling companion. I remember with great fondness our trips to New York and Bruges.
Our friendship started when my family moved to Somerset and Ruth and my daughter Emma started in the reception class of Neroche primary school. A friendship that remained steadfast for over 40 years and one that will be desperately missed
So nice to hear these words Mary, thanks very much. These memories help put a smile on our faces, even if it’s only temporary! Jez x
Rose and I were good friends for many years, we met when I moved into a small village in Somerset where she was living. This was 45 years ago this month. Ruth was 9 months old and I was expecting my first baby(Jonathan(0) in the June of that year. She made it easy fir me to settle into a new home and area. She was very kind and helped me a lot and then we both had baby boys (Richard and Jerry) within a month of each other. We would take them to the park and the beach and had lots of good times together. Even when we both moved away into different parts of the country we still kept in touch and visited regularly. I remember one incident when they came to stay during the summer holidays to a house we were renovating. I had an appointment in town so left Rose with 5 children and a dog quiet,y eating breakfast. When I came back the place was in chaos. There was a. It lorry in the garden emptying the septic tank, the children was all running round excitedly, the dog was going mad and Jerry had set the fire alarm off and Rose didn’t know how to switch it off. Ad always she took it in her stride and we laughed about it for a long time afterwards. During the holiday the children had been finding newts so poor Rose had to take a box home on the train full of newts. Happy days.
I spoke to Rose 3 weeks ago about.my visit to see her which was to be in two weeks time. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be, butt she sounded very happy and upbeat and so it was a great shock to hear news of her passing. She was a brilliant friend, full of fun and always made me laugh. She loved spending time with her children, beautiful grandchildren and Kelvin and they will all miss her terribly. She had a full life with lots of interests and loved to travel and had many good friends. We’ll all miss you Rose
Ah Jude, this made me cry, but laugh lots too. me and ru remember those newts well, we had to tip them in the local pond! We’ve both got loads of happy memories of the old days, thanks to you and the boys. Thankyou for writing this
Rose and I were lifelong friends from primary school days. At secondary school a favourite teacher asked the class what things made them sad. Rose said” seeing someone cry’. The teachers comment was’ ” You are such a kind person Rosemary” Absolutely! She was also very witty.. We had walked from Hereford to Dinmore Manor for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. As we sat in the beautiful gardens she made us laugh so much we wet our knickers. Not for the first time nor the last. Rose has formed the back drop for my life as has Shirley. I will love and miss her very much. Rest in peace Rosey. From Lizo the name you gave me xxxx
Thank you Liz. This made me laugh out loud. You’re right, she was super kind and very funny, right up to her last few days she was smiling and joking. Awfully sad at the moment, but these memories help. Jez x
Rose and I got to know each other through our mutual love of walking about 20 years ago. We came together at a time when we were both single and found our salvation in our walking group. Our big adventure with some other members of the group was a trip to Peru, a few things stick in my mind from this trip; flying parrots in a restaurant, six skinned guinea pigs ready to go in the oven, Rose & I giggling in our tent 14,000 ft above sea level and Rose’s comment when we finally got to Machu Picchu “there are only a load of old stones” – so typical of Rose’s humour.
Thank you Rose for being such a supportive and caring friend – I will always cherish our friendship and feel you are there with me when I’m striding out across those fields
She never mentioned the flying parrots! You’re right about her sense of humour, she was very funny. Thanks for the memories. Jez x
Rose came to my Shakespeare classes in Henley. In fact she was the first person to express an interest in the course – she and her friends – so that was special for me. Rose really engaged with the plays, particularly with the characters and the themes and brought a wealth of experience – her comments were always perceptive, interesting and from the heart. She talked of her work as a midwife when we were studying Romeo and Juliet and was very excited to be visiting Venice as we were studying The Merchant of Venice! She came on both theatre trips we did to Stratford. I think she loved the language of Shakespeare, too.
Even though she wasn’t well she determinedly came to the classes and was there just a week, I think, before she went into hospital, contributing to the discussion and even reading a part. She was a lovely presence in the class.
On another note, Rose was there to welcome my daughter and me at the climate change meeting and was so encouraging about my daughter speaking up.
We will miss you Rose – thank you
Thank you for your words Helen, it’s great to hear a different perspective on Mum in her Shakespeare class that we didn’t see. She never credited herself with being as intelligent and perceptive as she really was! thankyou. Jez x
We have many happy memories and photos walking with Rose and the Burning Soles
Rose was a lovely person. She was the kind and reassuring friend just round the corner when we lived in Somerset. A time of births and babies and tiny children for us both.
Over the years , meeting only now and again, the years and miles melted away in easy easy friendship. Goodbye Rose but love always
My friendship with Rosemary began in Heath Visiting when we worked together in Solihull in the 1990s and we soon became personal friends too. Over the years our paths crossed on many and various occasions both professionally and personally, and since retirement for ‘meet up and catch up’ lunches with a 3rd colleague (another Margaret) who will be at Oakley Wood. Our next rendezvous was ‘pencilled in’ for early March, but it wasn’t to be.
I last saw Rosemary in October at Packwood House when I was there with a friend and Rosemary was working on one of her volunteering days. She seemed OK but I knew she had to face more checks and treatments although she was rather low key (and private) about what she said.
I am completely shocked and so sad at her swift and young death and my thoughts and sympathy are with her family and all of us who knew her.
Regrettably, I cannot be at the funeral and celebration of her life because I have recently undergone surgery and am not allowed to drive yet – and I live near Malvern. Needless to say though at 10 o’clock on Friday I shall be very much there in spirit with everyone and with my treasured memories of having Rosemary as a friend.
….’say not in grief that she is no more but in thankfulness that she was’…
Sincerely
Margaret
I worked with Rose in the same building as Health Visitors just before she retired. She was a lovely person to be near to and was very well liked in the team at Chelmsley Wood.
She previously worked at Marsden Green Clinic often on her own,though for periods with Lynda and Jackie.
She was very well thought of by the practice she was attached to Dr Sagoo at Chelmsley Lane.
I followed her footsteps seeing some of the mothers she had seen.They all had happy memories of Rose being their Health Visitor.
Rose was a wonderful person to have known, who thought so much about helping her family with young children.
It was a priviledge to know her.
Jane x
I met Rose when I joined the walking group in 1998. I have many happy memories of our walks and holidays together, Portugal, opera trip to Verona, ascending the Great Wall of China and doing the extra miles on the Camino de Santiago (sometimes 18 miles in a day!) and her fun side dressing up to go the Rocky Horror Show.
I remember on my arrival in China I had terrible jet lag and Rose attempted to get me to sleep by getting me to imagine I was floating on a lilo on the sea.It was going well till she added “slowly drifting out to sea”! I will miss her
Thinking about Rosie & her family today. She was a wonderful person & I have many treasured memories of her.
We shared a flat & later a house whilst Rosie was in Birmingham in the late 60’s
With love Gwen XX
I met Rose in 1992 at a Women’s Book Group in Solihull. I’d just moved to the area and , very quickly, hooked up with Rose, Judy and Marg. we became a ‘gang’, meeting not only at the sessions but also outside at social get together as and ‘vid’ nights,,,,happy memories of viewing ‘Rebecca’! I well remember my joy of informing my ‘mates’ of the imminent birth of my son Tom. Rose and the others were, of course supportive. I remember Rose happily staying one weekend when Tom was very small…her calm professional approach proved invaluable to a ‘rookie’ such as me! Attending her funeral has enlightened me further as to Rose’s far reaching influences …happily, those who knew her were blessed….xx
I meet Rose only 5 years ago and instantly we became friends. We both loved gardening and passed tips to each other. Last year we went to Shrewsbury flower show with another friend and had a great day out. She was a lovely lovely Lady only sorry we had such a short time together.
My Fridays at Packwood will never be the same again.
lots of love
Diana
Thanks Rose, what else can I say.
I could mention the holidays we had together, the walks, just chilling and of course introducing me to your wonderful family, they follow you by being so special.
But my thank you is for making me a better person.
When you see me cry like now, it is sadness of course, but it is also gratitude for us meeting in the first place. To feel that gentle squeeze of my hand in your last few hours was so us, no need to say anything, just a gesture we are there for each other.
Kelv