Auck, Rose Marie, 1939 – 2021 Fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, Rose Marie Auck entered into peace on Friday October 15, 2021. She was the heart and soul of our family and we are forever grateful for the unbreakable ties she devotedly bound. We will honor her request “All I ask of you is to remember me as loving you” and carry forward her legacy of Sempre Famiglia.
Rose Marie was the daughter of Ralph and Mary Novello Martinette and the adoring sister of Adeline Martinette Ziegenhain. She was raised in Portsmouth Virginia in an idyllic immigrant neighborhood rich in love and pasta, where everyone on Third Street was “family”. Her beloved childhood fostered in her a natural, effortless inclination to make everyone feel important and loved. If you were her friend then you were her family, and everyone was her friend.
Rose Marie was charming, gregarious and funny, a perfect combination for a young Navy sailor from St. Louis with a beaming grin and dimples made for smiling. Rose Marie met Kenny Auck while he was stationed in Norfolk, and the couple was married on September 5, 1960. Though they spent the next 60 years living in St. Louis, whenever asked where she was from, Rose would proudly declare Virginia in a strong southern drawl that somehow never faded with time and was treasured as her trademark.
The couple raised their three children, Marie, Michael and Tommy, in their first and forever home and were lifelong members of Most Precious Blood Parish (now St. Mark) for six decades. There, she was known as everyone’s favorite recess-duty mom, the sweetest and most generous neighbor, and the light and laughter of any gathering.
Rose Marie had dear friends from all walks of life, but most uniquely each of her grandchildren considered her their best friend. They treasure memories of her surprise visits to school, announcing “Yoo Hoo” as she roamed the halls with treats; cheering at every game in every sport dressed in team colors, likely with their name emblazoned on the back; and her daily calls no matter where they were in life with singing telegrams provided on each special occasion. Her comforting back scratches can never be replaced.
Rose Marie was the beloved and devoted wife of the late Kenneth W. Auck and the cherished mother of Marie and Tim Pendergast, Michael Auck, and Tommy and Tricia Auck. She was the proudest and most dearly loved Grams of Katie and Patrick Dolan, Lorie and Christy Pendergast, Andy Gaus, Tony and Marisa Auck, Michael, Nick and Angela Auck, Alex and Molly Auck, Nicholas and Becca Bamvakais. She was the happiest GG of her namesake Kennedy Rose Dolan. She was a most loving sister, aunt, Godmother, and the very best friend. Una Mamma Italiana E’Una Benedizione Di Dio.
Services: Visitation Monday Oct. 18 from 8-10am at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road. Funeral Mass follows at 10:30am, St. Mark Catholic Church. Private Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Auck, Rose Marie – Kutis Funeral Home
Rose Marie was one my “older” first cousins. This was a really special obituary and described her and our family very well. A very Sweet lady and a loving cousin. My mother use to tell me that Rose Marie and her sister Adeline would to offer to take me, their little cousin, on neighborhood strolls so they could go by the fire station in our neighborhood and flirt with the firemen. They used me as bait and I was happy because I got to climb on the big red truck. She will be missed along with Ken, as great an addition to our family as we could have ever hoped for . Love to all of you!
Rose was the most thoughtful of friends, celebrating events with everyone. We loved her.
Our condolences to the Auck family from Michael and Joyce Lavin.
Blessings upon the legend.
You will be forever missed dear Rose. Our rimes together were always filled with laughter and fun. May God greet you at the gate and reunite you with your beloved Kenny and all of those who have gone before you. With much love, John and Sally Landro and family.
Love will always follow you. Where there is a red bird I will know you are near. Your smile and laugh made everyone feel safe and loved. You will always be in my heart for ever and always. I love you.
One of the best Girls in my Life.
So sorry for your loss!
Marie, Tim and family: So sorry for your loss. Prayers.
Tom and I were sadden to hear your loss! What a wonderful cheerful person Rose was. Always a smile on her face and a friendly word! She will be dearly missed by all. She is a ray of sunshine now in heaven with God! Love you all
What a beautiful tribute – she was truly a special lady and unforgettable by all that she encountered! Prayers of comfort for all missing her here on earth.
You made us smile every time we saw you and Ken. A glow of love for each other, family, friends and life always present. Thank you for sharing yourself with others. We are all blessed that happened to meet you on our journey.