Age 90, of Grand Rapids, MI, went to be with our Lord on the morning of Thursday, December 15, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Carl “Gus” Rossi, her parents Thomas and Kathleen McCarthy, her brother Thomas McCarthy, and brother-in-law Robert Ziolkowski. Jane is survived by her son Michael (Kristi) Rossi and his three sons Mitchell, Mason and Nolan, and her daughter Jennifer (Jerry) Bihlmeyer, and Jane’s sister Patricia Ziolkowski and her 8 children and their children and grandchildren.
Jane graduated from Aquinas College with a teaching degree and taught 5th graders at Michigan Oaks elementary. She met Gus at Aquinas College, and after he mustered out of the Army, they married in May of 1958. Jane taught at Michigan Oaks until 1965 when she and Gus adopted Michael then Jennifer in 1968, and Jane was a wonderful stay-at-home-mother until Jennifer was a Senior in high school. She then went back to her first love of teaching, and taught 5th graders once again at St. Mary’s Parish School for 4 years, until St. Mary’s ultimate closure.
Jane loved children and teaching. As her own children grew, she volunteered for their clubs and activities. She agreed to be the leader of the 4H Clowning group when they didn’t have one, even though she had no idea what to do for it. She made clown costumes and even crocheted the clown wigs. She would do anything for her children.
In her final days, she wanted her grandchildren to know that she loved them very much, she was proud of them, and they should not be afraid to do whatever it is they want to do with their lives. Jane made and kept many lifelong friends, and she enjoyed dinner parties, volunteer work and social time with friends. She had a solid faith in God, and believed she would one day be reunited with those who had gone before her.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Aug 4, 2023, at 11am at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church in Ada. There will be a “visitation/memorial” at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Rev. Tony Russo presiding. Interment at Cascade Cemetery will take place immediately after Mass. Celebration of Life will be held after interment at Joe and Irene Rossi’s home.