Rose Reisman-Gross
(née Gutwillig)
It is with deep sadness that the family of Rose Reisman announces her passing on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at the age of 99. Devoted wife of the late Mark Reisman and the late Harold Gross. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Heather Reisman and Gerald Schwartz, Rhoda Reisman and William Alexander, Ellen and Lon Babby, Howard Reisman and Amalia Reisman; dear stepmother of Michael and Yoshie Gross. Adored sister and sister-in-law of Sidney and Susan Goodwill, Mike and Soon Ja Gutwillig and the late Judy Gutwillig, the late Leo and the late Ethel Goodwill, and sister-in-law of Lynn and the late Ernie Lutterman, the late Simon and the late Connie Reisman, the late Gertrude and the late Hyman Shapiro; Cherished grandmother of Andrea and Matt Johnson, Galite and David Shafer, Tony Yanow, Talia and Jamie Resin, Kenneth Reisman and Lital Levy, Jamie and Derryn Schouela, Ken and Liz Babby, Jeff Schouela and Marie France Elliott, Heather and Eric Rimsky, Jill and Daniel Leanse, Carey Schwartz and David Scharff. Proud great-grandmother of 19 great-grandchildren: Holden, Jasper and Sawyer Johnson; Ella, Benjaminand Marlo Shafer; Marley, Hudson and Chloe Yanow; Claire and Lucy Schouela; Josh, Jordan and Jack Resin; Jonah Reisman; Josh Babby; Dylan and Emma Rimsky and Rebecca Gross. Rose will be lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews, including Dan Goodwill and Gail Leder who were very devoted and visited her frequently. She will be sorely missed by Dorothy Flomen, her dearest friend for over 70 years.
Rose will be always remembered for her intelligence, her extraordinary elegance, her ever-present gracious manner and her unfailing exquisite taste. Most of all she will be remembered for her positive and optimistic spirit.
The daughter of immigrant parents from Poland, she grew up in a household surrounded by her devoted, hard-working parents and three loving brothers whom she adored. She loved to travel and was very adventurous, feeling at home anywhere. She was a real “party-girl.”
A role model to her daughters, as both a wife and a mother, Rose was also a pioneer who blended work and family. She began her work life in 1959 in the fashion industry. The highlight of her career was her role as Directrice of the Cardin, Lanvin and Hermès boutiques in Westmount Square. As the buyer for the boutiques, Rose traveled frequently on her own to Europe and often met her brother, Sidney, who was also there for work. They shared many memorable times together, particularly in Italy and France.
In their later years, Rose and Mark moved to St. Adele, Québec, where they spent 12 glorious years in the country and enjoyed special family gatherings. While she faced a number of tragedies, most notably the loss of her brother, Leo, at an early age, the sudden death of her husband, Mark in 1994, and the passing of her second husband, Harold in 2005, Rose had the ability to always see the glass as more than half full. She lived “in the moment” and often reminded us all that “every day is a gift’. She had a special inner strength which shone brightly right to the end of her life.
As the matriarch of the family, Rose was committed to staying in touch with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, often through email and FaceTime. She never missed a birthday. To the very end of her life, she was surrounded by cherished pictures of her extended family which adorned her entire apartment. Rhoda, her only daughter who lives in Montreal, was devotedly by her side to the very end. Each day when Rhoda entered the apartment in Rose’s last years and up until her passing, she was greeted by Rose’s beautiful smile – the connection a source of comfort to both of them.
The family would like to thank the extraordinary and devoted caregivers who took care of her for the past 9 years: Liza, Anabelle, Jackie, Judith and Grace, later joined by Carol and Emma. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Rubin Becker for his devoted care. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Shiva private. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish General Hospital Foundation (514-340-8251) www.jghfoundation.org or to a charity of your choice. Private graveside service.
2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Rose Reisman-Gross 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Montreal, Province: Quebec