Last month, Rose Garre, matriarch to one of Parkrose’s historic farming families, passed away. She was 94.

The matriarch of one of Parkrose’s historic farming families has died. Rose Spada Garre passed away last month at the age of 94. Rose Spada was born in Metzger, the fourth of six children by Cosmo and Angiolina Spada. As an infant, she moved with her family to the Parkrose area. She was a graduate of Grant High School. Rose married Bert Garre Feb. 14, 1943. They farmed in the Parkrose area and raised three children. Bert died in 2001. Rose developed an excellent work ethic, first as a child farming with her family and later side by side with her husband while raising their children. Rose was a lifelong member of St. Rita Catholic Church. She was very involved in every aspect of the annual spaghetti and meatball dinner, working all of the 79 dinners. Marycrest High School, Multnomah County Farm Bureau, Club Paesano and Gateway Elks were some of the other organizations with whom she shared her time and talents. Her generosity extended to sharing her expertise in sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and recipe knowledge with family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband; sister, Jennie Casale; and brothers, Nick, Frank and Richard Spada. She is survived by her children, Rosann Pitton (Jim), Al (Marie) and Chris Kugel (Glenn); grandchildren, Marie, Brian, Alison, Jeff and Julie; three great-grandsons; brother, Art (Mary) Spada; sister-in-law, Peg Spada; and extended Spada, Casale and Garre families. Her funeral, attended by hundreds, was held last month. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rita Catholic Church.

Rose Garre, a lifelong member of St. Rita Catholic Church, worked almost every one of the church’s 79 annual spaghetti dinner fundraisers. She is pictured with granddaughter Alison Garre at the 2012 dinner. Memo photo/Tim Curran

Rose Garre, a lifelong member of St. Rita Catholic Church, worked almost every one of the church’s 79 annual spaghetti dinner fundraisers. She is pictured with granddaughter Alison Garre at the 2012 dinner.
Memo photo/Tim Curran

“Rose was one of the most pious and humble people I’ve ever known,” said Ron Spada, who knew her his whole life.
“It was always nice to see her; she was always so gracious.”

Published earlier in The Oregonian