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Rose Nardi

Nardi

Rose Nardi passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 20, 2017. She was a beautiful, inspiring, and loving mother, grandmother, sister, partner, aunt, and dear friend. Her absence is deeply felt in the hearts of anyone who smiled in delight of her beautiful gardens, shared one of her delicious meals, or received a box of her gourmet cookies. So many were touched by her kindness and unending thoughtfulness.

Rose was born on August 27, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio to Frank and Mina (Back) Nardi. Her parents met in the United States after immigrating from Italy and Germany, and they instilled in Rose the values that shaped the course of her life, chief among them love of family, an indefatigable work ethic, and generously welcoming those she cared for into her heart and home.

She graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a degree in Economics, and earned her M.B.A. from Ohio University. She had a successful career in the world of finance and banking, reaching the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at People’s Bank. She also drew on her expertise to teach finance and portfolio management to both bankers and college students, and worked with the Ohio Bankers’ Association to play an important role in designing legislation that reshaped Ohio’s then-archaic laws governing portfolio management. Her professional success stemmed from her love for what she did and the intellectual challenge that it gave her.

Her generosity and dedication were reflected not only in her professional career and personal relationships, but also in her tireless work with numerous organizations, including the United Way, the O’Neill Senior Center, the Betsey Mills Club, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the National Society of Arts and Letters, and the American Heart Association. Rose was also an incredibly valuable member of the board of directors of The Valentine Project, an organization that serves children affected by cancer or chronic illnesses.

But of all her amazing accomplishments, the part of her life of which she was most proud was her family. She was a devoted mother who taught her children the importance of the qualities and values she learned from her parents, and which remain with her children today: integrity, fidelity, devotion, passion, honesty, and kindness.

Rose was preceded in death by her aunt Erna, her brother Walter, her uncle Ben, her father Frank, her son Jason, and her mother Mina.

She is survived by her children Jessica George (Tony), Nathaniel Haas (Shannon), and Christopher Haas (Julia), partner (former husband) C. Michael Gray, sister Erna Malave, grandchildren Annabelle and Oliver Haas and Miller George, nephew Ian Malave, dear friends Andrea and Anthony Margida, and countless other friends and family whose lives she uplifted.

A celebration of life will be held June 25, 2017, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Levee House Restaurant, 127 Ohio Street, Marietta. Rose suggested that if people would like to make a contribution in her memory, they could do so by donating to the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley (90 Mount Tom Rd., Marietta) or the Student Success Scholarship for nontraditional students at Washington State Community College (check to WSCC Foundation, designate Student Success Scholarship, mail to WSCC at 710 Colgate Dr., Marietta). The Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples is honored to serve Rose’s family, and offers many resources by visiting, www.cawleyandpeoples.com

One of her favorite quotes was: “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” She lived her life in accordance with that ideal, and the seeds of kindness and generosity that she planted will continue to flower as long as we keep her in our hearts.