Janet Rose

Janet Huber Rose, 88, of Shippensburg, died Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Born February 14, 1935, in Chambersburg, PA, she was a daughter of the late John L. and Blanche (Musselman) Huber, and wife of Robert S. Rose (Colonel, US Army-Ret.), who preceded her in death on December 30, 2012.

Jan grew up on a dairy farm outside Lemasters, PA, graduating from Lemasters High School, class of 1952, and Penn State University in 1956. She married Bob on December 22, 1956, in Chambersburg. Jan served as an Army wife for 30 years, raising five children while moving 15 times with Bob on assignments that included Ft. Benning, GA; Ft. Carson, CO; the US Army War College in Carlisle; the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University ROTC; and culminating in Bob’s command of the Presidio in San Francisco, CA. In 1987, she and Bob settled in Shippensburg, where she quickly immersed herself in the community, serving briefly as Assistant Executive Director of the Shippensburg Chamber of Commerce and establishing the McLean House Bed and Breakfast, which she operated as the sole proprietor for 35 years, hosting her last guest on September 22.

Jan’s community involvement was legendary. Her faith and faith community were central to her life. She was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, serving as Senior Warden, a co-organizer of the Pumpkin Patch bazaar and a member of the Community Meals team, Women’s Group, and the Quilters, among other roles too numerous to mention. She was a staunch supporter, volunteer and board member of The Shippensburg Episcopal Home, and served in a number of roles in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. She was a long-time member, twice president, and current vice president of the Civic Club, and especially proud of helping to create its new affordable housing project. A sample of her other community engagements includes co-organizing fund-raising for the Shippensburg Public Library; working on the Corn Festival; serving on the board of the United Way and Shippensburg Meals on Wheels; and driving for Meals on Wheels, completing a double shift delivering meals just 11 days before her death. Jan’s passion for history was manifest in her service to the Shippensburg Historical Society and the Historic Architectural Review Board, as docent for the Old Courthouse, and her stewardship of the McLean House, built in 1798. Her absence will be keenly felt by family, friends, and the many organizations she supported with her time and talents.

Jan is survived by two daughters, Nancy L. Rose and husband James Poterba of Belmont, MA, and Marjorie B. Rose and husband Douglas Irwin of Hanover, NH; one son, Robert H. Rose and wife Maggie of Rockwood, TN; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy, and Meg Poterba, Dane Jessen, Ellen and Katie Irwin, and Emma and John Rose; one great grandson, James Evan Poterba; her sister, Nancy Mansfield of New Bern, NC; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Jan was preceded in death by a son, John David Rose, a daughter, Ellen Rose, and a grandson, Christian Jessen.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Shippensburg. The celebrant will be Mother Barbara Hutchison, and the Reverend Canon William Murphey will assist with the service. Interment in the Spring Grove Cemetery will be held privately.

There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the Coy Public Library of Shippensburg or the Lemasters United Methodist Church.