Rose Meschke

Those we hold most dear

never truly leave us….

they live on

in the kindnesses they showed,

the comfort they shared

and the love they brought into our lives.

                                                                -Isabel Norton

  Rose Irene Brach Meschke passed away peacefully in her own home February 10, 2021 at the age of 104.  The last of her generation, Rose shared the secret of her longevity:  live life one day at a time.  She refused to dwell on the past, preferring to live in the moment. Rose (Rozalia to her parents) was born March 27, 1916 to Polish immigrants Franciszka Ksawera (Dominik) Brach and Ignacy Brach.  Rose, her parents, and siblings Walter, Joe, Mary, John, and Tony formed a tight-knit family in the Polish community of Rochester, NY.  From a very early age, Rose worked hard – transporting vests between a neighbor and a local clothing manufacturer, cleaning downtown offices at night with her Mom, and clandestinely taking over paper routes from an older brother until her younger brother was old enough to take on the task so as not to lose that income for the family.  She worked as a domestic by day and earned her high school diploma by going to school at night, from 7-10 PM.  Rose worked for Eastman Kodak for over 30 years, assembling and inspecting the small green magazines used in special cameras for the Navy. Rose met Oscar Meschke (1918-1983) after WWII and they were married January 28, 1950.  Rose enjoyed hiking, golfing, bowling, and traveling with family and friends both here and abroad.  Above all, she treasured family.  She was much loved by all and an inspiration to her late niece Helen Kolasa and surviving nieces and nephews Paul Brach, Mary Jo Brach, Margie Seidewand, Jim Rychwalski, Bruce Rychwalski, Joan Rogers, Nancy Rogers, Fran Bergstrom, Dorothy Greiner, Pat Meschke, their spouses and many great- and great-great- nieces and nephews.  Rose showed everyone how to age well and stay interested in life to the end.  No one ever guessed her age – she always looked and had the energy of one at least 20 years younger in her later years.  An independent spirit, she gave up driving and started accepting some help only after a fall at the age of 100!  She outperformed all the others in physical and occupational therapy.  She amazed everyone!  She is sorely missed. A celebration of Rose’s life will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church on Tuesday, February 16 at 9:30 AM for immediate family.  Livestream of her Mass will be available for viewing through https://www.facebook.com/Meesonfamily.  She will be interred privately in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery alongside her loving husband, Oscar. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Highland Park Conservancy, the National Parks Foundation, or a charity of your choosing.  For more information and to sign her online guestbook, visit www.meesonfamily.com