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Obituary of Rose Billington
Rose Billington: A Note in Memory from a Loving Daughter
Rose Billington joined her much loved husband of 70 years on September 21, 2020. On their anniversary in 2005 Norton wrote to Rose:
- Have I told you lately that you’re wonderful? Because you are.
- Have I shown you how happy you make me? Because you do.
- Have I mentioned that I’m more grateful every day for your understanding and strength? Because I am.
- Have I told you how much I cherish this life we’ve made? Because I love it!
I love you, Rose!
Rose was a much loved wife and mom. She leaves two children, Debbie Passerini and Robert Billington, who will miss her as will their families: Jim and Heather Passerini; Catherine, Mary, John and Robert, Abby and great grandchildren Grace and Ethan Billington. And she was a sister to many. Rose was born November 4, 1930, to John and Rose (Giegle) Baumiller on a farm in Wilton, North Dakota. She was one of many children and grew up with a houseful of brothers and sisters. Having reached the cusp of her 90th birthday, she is survived by her sister, Shirley (Billings, Montana) and brother, Donnie (Bismarck, North Dakota).
Mom was one amazing lady and I am sure she still is in spirit! Though she was born in a small farm town, she traveled the world with Dad. She documented over 7,000 kilometers during her Volksmarching in Europe and then walked across the US with Dad. I found a metal for a 100 K Volksmarch covering three counties as I looked through thousands of pictures and memorabilia with Mom before she passed.
Mom was a great cook and those trying still cannot beat her chocolate chip cookies, great weekend steaks, or Beef Wellington. Of course there are dozens of other out-of-this-world recipes that we attribute to Mom. And even when you follow the recipes exactly, it is not Mom’s!
Mom was absolutely sassy, always ready with a well-timed comment, always highly energetic, and invariably ready to be a part of the next great adventure! She was strong-willed and independent. As a military wife she possessed the qualities of both father and mother depending on Dad’s deployments, was the perfect hostess for one to 40 guests at the drop of a hat, handled every emergency possible without a manual, and was willing to move to a new place 22 times during Dad’s 32 years of service in the Army. She was particularly happy living in Heidelberg, Germany for years after Dad retired and worked for Honeywell. She looked petite and soft, but had the strength of a lion and was ever so resilient!
Mom raised my brother and me crazy strong with open and happy hearts, willing to give and always hopeful. Mom raised us as she was.
Mom’s Favorite Hymn
https://youtu.be/u4qbmPpfG6s
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught
My heart to fear
And grace my Fears relieved
How precious did
That grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers
Toils and snares
We have already come
'Twas grace hath brought
Us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home
When we've been there
Ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We'll have no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
With Love and Respect,
Debbie Passerini
Loving Daughter
19003 Rustic Woods Trail
Odessa, FL 33556
813-918-7994
Family will gather to celebrate Rose’s life post-Covid. In the meantime we would love to collect and save your comments so that we might treasure them at that time.
Rose will be laid to rest with Norton at
Bay Bines National Cemetery
10000 Bay Pines Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL
The care of Mrs. Billington and her family has been entrusted to David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg.
