Obituary for Rose Esaian
Rose (Zagheek) Esaian
Rose Esaian passed away on April 5, 2022 at the age of 94. She was born February 19, 1928 in Racine, WI to her beloved parents, Kirkor and Mary Madaghian, immigrants and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Rose may have grown up on one of the shortest blocks in Racine, however, it was not short on loving friendships amongst the “Jackson Street Gang.” Rose held these friends close in her heart throughout her entire life.
After graduating from William Horlick High School in 1947, Rose went on to work at Walker Manufacturing. Here, she met what would become lifelong card club friends with whom she shared many laughs and a few tears throughout the years. Her marriage to Esay “Dugan” Esaian in 1955 took her to South Milwaukee where she devoted her life and talents to her family, church, and community.
Rose was a member of Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church. She served on the Parish Council, was Superintendent of Sunday School, and was active in the Ladies’ Aide where she founded classes in Armenian cooking. Her faith in God guided her throughout her life. She was always looking for ways to help and support others. Rose volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Southern Wisconsin Center. She was a Boy Scout Leader and President of the PTA. She was also very active in the Women’s Club of South Milwaukee where she served as president. Rose was a proud member of the Women’s Court and Civics Conference where she served as president from 2000 to 2002. Through her community service, Rose made amazing friendships and gained wisdom through the mentors she met along the way.
Rose loved to travel. Her travels took her throughout Europe, including Ireland, France, England, Spain, Jerusalem, and Switzerland. Among her favorite trips were travels to New Zealand, Australia and a cruise down the Panama Canal.
An avid reader, Rose was part of the local book club. She was a fantastic knitter and made sweaters and quilts that became family treasures. Her other hobbies included writing, photography, painting, and attending the theatre and ballet. Rose loved to play cards and was the reigning champion of the family’s Crazy 8 tournaments.
Creating memories for her family was important to Rose. She initiated family traditions of “Cousins Night,” Christmas Eve with good friends, 4th of July celebrated in Grant Park, and the annual “Shish Kebob Dinner” on New Year’s Day. In her younger years, Rose and her husband hosted New Year’s Eve parties that rivaled the celebrations in New York City. Central to these traditions and countless holiday and birthday celebrations were the meals that Rose lovingly prepared. She was an excellent cook.
Rose was simply the best mom ever to her four children! She was always there to lend an ear, help them out of a jam, and provide love and guidance whether they knew they needed it or not. She gave the best hugs.
Rose is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 64 years, Esay “Dugan”, her sister Anna, and her brother Haroutune. She is survived by her children, son Michael (Barbara) Esaian, daughter Sandra (Larry) Stone, daughter Louise Esaian, and son Todd Esaian, and her dear Madaghian cousins living throughout the world. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Lisa (Tim) Chiappetta, Lorry Stone, Scott Martin, Joshua Martin, Becki Martin and her great-grandchildren Miles Chiappetta, Ella Chiappetta, Ryan Martin, and Harper Widder. She is further survived by her wonderful nieces and nephews, all with whom she shared many memories and loving relationships.
Our family offers a special thank you to Dr. Moaz Hamed and Dr. Simone Fernandes Dos Santos Hughes. They provided outstanding care for Rose throughout the last several years and led the family to her angel, Dr. Michael Malone. Support from her amazing at-home nurse, Joesph Petrie, and physical therapist Derek Christiansen is also greatly appreciated by the family. These professionals, along with the wonderful team at Zilber Family Hospice, guided the family’s decisions and provided the finest care for Rose.
Family and friends are invited to meet with the family at Molthen Bell Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 19th from 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Visitation is Wednesday, April 20th at Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church, 909 Michigan Avenue in South Milwaukee, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow. Interment will take place immediately after the service at St. Haroutune Armenian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rose Esaian, may be made to St. Haroutune Armenian Cemetery Endowment or Zilber Family Hospice.
Rose Esaian passed away on April 5, 2022 at the age of 94. She was born February 19, 1928 in Racine, WI to her beloved parents, Kirkor and Mary Madaghian, immigrants and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Rose may have grown up on one of the shortest blocks in Racine, however, it was not short on loving friendships amongst the “Jackson Street Gang.” Rose held these friends close in her heart throughout her entire life.
After graduating from William Horlick High School in 1947, Rose went on to work at Walker Manufacturing. Here, she met what would become lifelong card club friends with whom she shared many laughs and a few tears throughout the years. Her marriage to Esay “Dugan” Esaian in 1955 took her to South Milwaukee where she devoted her life and talents to her family, church, and community.
Rose was a member of Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church. She served on the Parish Council, was Superintendent of Sunday School, and was active in the Ladies’ Aide where she founded classes in Armenian cooking. Her faith in God guided her throughout her life. She was always looking for ways to help and support others. Rose volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Southern Wisconsin Center. She was a Boy Scout Leader and President of the PTA. She was also very active in the Women’s Club of South Milwaukee where she served as president. Rose was a proud member of the Women’s Court and Civics Conference where she served as president from 2000 to 2002. Through her community service, Rose made amazing friendships and gained wisdom through the mentors she met along the way.
Rose loved to travel. Her travels took her throughout Europe, including Ireland, France, England, Spain, Jerusalem, and Switzerland. Among her favorite trips were travels to New Zealand, Australia and a cruise down the Panama Canal.
An avid reader, Rose was part of the local book club. She was a fantastic knitter and made sweaters and quilts that became family treasures. Her other hobbies included writing, photography, painting, and attending the theatre and ballet. Rose loved to play cards and was the reigning champion of the family’s Crazy 8 tournaments.
Creating memories for her family was important to Rose. She initiated family traditions of “Cousins Night,” Christmas Eve with good friends, 4th of July celebrated in Grant Park, and the annual “Shish Kebob Dinner” on New Year’s Day. In her younger years, Rose and her husband hosted New Year’s Eve parties that rivaled the celebrations in New York City. Central to these traditions and countless holiday and birthday celebrations were the meals that Rose lovingly prepared. She was an excellent cook.
Rose was simply the best mom ever to her four children! She was always there to lend an ear, help them out of a jam, and provide love and guidance whether they knew they needed it or not. She gave the best hugs.
Rose is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 64 years, Esay “Dugan”, her sister Anna, and her brother Haroutune. She is survived by her children, son Michael (Barbara) Esaian, daughter Sandra (Larry) Stone, daughter Louise Esaian, and son Todd Esaian, and her dear Madaghian cousins living throughout the world. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Lisa (Tim) Chiappetta, Lorry Stone, Scott Martin, Joshua Martin, Becki Martin and her great-grandchildren Miles Chiappetta, Ella Chiappetta, Ryan Martin, and Harper Widder. She is further survived by her wonderful nieces and nephews, all with whom she shared many memories and loving relationships.
Our family offers a special thank you to Dr. Moaz Hamed and Dr. Simone Fernandes Dos Santos Hughes. They provided outstanding care for Rose throughout the last several years and led the family to her angel, Dr. Michael Malone. Support from her amazing at-home nurse, Joesph Petrie, and physical therapist Derek Christiansen is also greatly appreciated by the family. These professionals, along with the wonderful team at Zilber Family Hospice, guided the family’s decisions and provided the finest care for Rose.
Family and friends are invited to meet with the family at Molthen Bell Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 19th from 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Visitation is Wednesday, April 20th at Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church, 909 Michigan Avenue in South Milwaukee, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow. Interment will take place immediately after the service at St. Haroutune Armenian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rose Esaian, may be made to St. Haroutune Armenian Cemetery Endowment or Zilber Family Hospice.