Obituary of Rose Marie McDonnell

Newmarket, NH - Rose Marie Cooley Nolan McDonnell, 88, of Granite St, died Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Exeter Hospital in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Born August 22, 1929 in Dundee, Michigan, she was the last surviving of nine children born to Walter and Freda (Heuple) Cooley.

Rose was a lifelong salesperson, a rewarding profession for a woman who loved to talk. Rose faced many challenges in her life and relied on her extraordinary intellect to solve each problem. She loved her children fiercely and adored the generations that followed. Rose was a voracious reader, especially of science fiction, because it both informed and inspired her, and helped her to find creative ways to overcome each obstacle that loomed before her. Rose leaves the world a warmer place thanks to many, many afghans.

She is survived by six children; Sandra Engle and husband Richard of Tecumseh, Missouri; Nancy Schriner and husband Gary of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Michael Nolan and wife Valerie of Dundee, Michigan; Debra Adams and husband Dean of Newmarket, New Hampshire; Allen McDonnell and wife Marcy of Pemberville, Ohio; and Keith McDonnell and wife Lhotty of Osceola, Arkansas; daughter-in-law Shannon Nolan of Dundee, Michigan; 13 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by a son, Edwin “Ted” Nolan.

Graveside service will be in Lambertville, Michigan at Lambertville Cemetery on Wednesday December 13th, 2017 at 1:00pm.  A memorial service was held in Newmarket, New Hampshire. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe.

Online guests may leave words of comfort and inspiration or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.