Rosanne Kathleen Kearns

On April 25, 2022, just three days after her 68th birthday, Rosanne Kathleen Kearns (nee Marko) of Calgary, Alberta passed away after enduring a fierce four-year battle with cancer (Multiple Myeloma).

Rosanne, who also interchangeably went by her favourite monikers of Rose, Gypsy Rose, and Grandma was born on April 22, 1954, in Powell River, BC, and was the youngest of nine children born to her parents Roscoe Melvin Marko and Hazel Matalea Pockett. In December of 1972, she married Patrick James Kearns with whom she had two children Wayne in 1973 and Miranda in 1975.  She later divorced from Patrick and proceeded to raise her children as a single mother, while working in her lifelong trade of upholsterer.

Ever the fierce mother, always determined to provide for her family, Gypsy Rose moved her family from town to town seemingly countless times over the years in the persistent effort to find continuous employment and a living wage. She developed and cultivated an adventurous outlook on life and when things seemed not to be going to plan, she'd famously declare: "At least we are having an adventure!"

In the mid 90's, Rose found herself living in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and with both of her children grown, embarked on a new adventure: over twenty years of partnership and close friendship with Wally Lafreniere, that started off as a blind date. They lived their life together in typical "Gypsy Rose" fashion, residing and working in several communities in Alberta and British Columbia. Wally sadly passed away in 2015.

It was in the pleasure of being Grandma where she truly found her calling. First with the arrival of Justin Flanders in 2005, son of Miranda Kearns and Richard Flanders, and later Tyler Flanders in 2006. Tragically, Richard and Justin passed away in 2008 in a drowning accident when the family was living in Houston, Texas. From that moment forward, Grandma aimed her attention toward helping Miranda care for Tyler and Miranda's third son, Riley Kearns who arrived in 2013.

One of Rosanne's most favourite pastimes was camping. She loved loading up the car with gear, food, and her kids then pointing the car and head off in what felt like a random direction to see what adventures they could have. She was a very friendly, unassuming, and humble woman, with a razor-sharp wit and an easy laugh. The friendships that she made were invariably lifelong ones, which she cherished as family. She was an excellent cook and loved to gather and serve large meals with family during the holidays and special occasions.

In accordance with her wishes, Rosanne did not want a funeral. Instead, there will be an open house Celebration of Rosanne's Life on April 30, 2022, at the Calgary home she shared with Miranda and her sons.

As it was her wish to be cremated, she further wished to have her ashes scattered on Valentine Mountain, at Powell River, BC, where she was born. This will happen in August.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, she would have liked you to please consider donating in her name to Autism Calgary instead.