ROSE MARYANN (Parente) APOSTAL

Rose Maryann (Parente) Apostal RN, 71, passed away very unexpectedly, but peacefully, on February 11, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late Antonio Parente, Sr. and Olga (Marsocci) Parente, and sister of the late Janice Charest.

Rose was the beloved wife of 40 years to Dr. Michael Apostal. She is survived by her daughter Nikki Apostal and daughter and husband Christina and Darrell Caron; grandsons Evan and Tristan Caron; sister and husband Shelley and Philip Matheson; brother and wife Antonio Parente, Jr. and Diana Parente; sister Alicia Carlos; sister-in-law Marianthe Cochran; plus, many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces. Rose loved her family deeply, and they loved her in return.

Rose was a graduate of West Warwick High School in 1966 as well as St. Joseph’s Nursing School, Class of 1969. After obtaining her RN, Rose worked in the Emergency Room at St. Joseph’s Hospital until she departed in 1976 to assume a key position of Charge Nurse. She helped Dr. Robert Gordon, a colleague from St. Joseph’s, establish one of the earliest Walk-In Medical Clinics in the nation in Warwick RI.

Rose ended her career as a full time Nurse in 1981 when she left to give birth to her eldest daughter Nikki, followed shortly by her daughter Christina. Although Rose chose to stay home and raise her girls, she kept her Nursing License active, frequently volunteering as a nurse at Lincoln School which her daughters attended. Her friends and family often leaned on her as their “Resident Nurse,” as she loved taking care of everyone around her.

Rose was many things besides being an incredible nurse. She was a master chef, skilled baker, proficient seamstress, devoted church volunteer at St Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Church, incredible crafter, and a loyal friend. Rose’s favorite pastime was entertaining, and she loved nothing more than filling her home with delicious food and joyful laughter. She truly made everything around her as beautiful as she was. 

Above all, Rose loved being a mother. She was the best mom anyone could have asked for. Her girls will miss her terribly, but both Nikki and Christina were blessed to inherit the best parts of her. Rose raised two strong women, and they are thankful for the wonderful years they had with her.

The love of her life was her husband Michael. Rose and Michael met on a blind date, set up by close friends, but there was nothing blind about their love. Though this was a Left Brain (Michael) / Right Brain (Rose) combination, it worked, producing a couple that were both completely devoted to each other in good times and bad times, in sickness and in health - right until the end. There will never be another pair like Michael and his “Rosie.”

Rose’s life was a living example of the Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Burial will be private, but Rose’s family is in the process of organizing a memorial which will be open to all. This information will be communicated soon. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society.

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