Obituary of Rose Ann Neary , 82

Rose Ann Neary, 82, of Kensington, Md., passed away peacefully at her home in the Kensington Park Retirement Community.

A daughter of the late Robert Wendell Davis and Sara Kathryn Lucas, Rose Ann was born on August 25, 1932, in Reynoldsville, Jefferson County. She graduated from Brookville High School, Class of 1950, and Penn State University in 1954 with a BA in Music. Her marriage to Michael Neary resulted in two children and ended in divorce, after which she relocated to Bellefonte where she lived for fifty years.

Rose Ann made many contributions during her life in Bellefonte, all borne out of her love for learning, books and music. She was an English teacher at Bald Eagle Area High School, educating thousands of students over the course of three decades until her retirement in 1989. For many years, she chaired the English department. Determined to prepare students for college, she was known for a rigorous College English class and was responsible for the introduction of “Advanced Placement” English courses. Over time, she broadened her focus and taught Business English, Composition, Literature and Grammar at all grade levels, deriving tremendous satisfaction helping all students reach their goals.

In 1980, she applied the lessons she taught and wrote “Flower of Bloom,” a historical romance novel that was published under the pen name Rachel North. She was a choir member and soloist at both the Trinity United Methodist and First Presbyterian Churches in Bellefonte, and served as choir director at the First Presbyterian Church throughout the 1970’s. Rose Ann also was a member of the Nittany Country Club, served on the Centre County Library board, and worked the polls on every Election Day for years during her retirement.

Rose Ann was known for her intelligence, sharp wit, dramatic flair, and unending devotion to her students. She enjoyed reading a good mystery, spy or romance novel, knitting, playing bridge, and spending time with her daughter and grandchildren. Rose Ann is survived by her daughter, Constance Neary (Richard Schlegel) of Chevy Chase, Md.; two grandchildren, Kathryn and Lucas Bosley; two sisters, Rebecca Corman and Molly Kirby; two brothers, Wendell “Skip” Davis and Dennis Davis; and four nieces and nephews, including Katherine Erlichman, Melissa Sieg, Jacob Corman, and Kevin Corman, and their children and grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Davis, and niece, Sharon Settle.

A public visitation will be held on Monday, February 9, 2015, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Home at 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA. Reverend Joy Kaufman will officiate. A burial will follow at the Centre County Memorial Park, State College, PA. Memorial contributions may be made in Rose Ann’s name to the Centre County Library and Historical Museum 203 N. Allegheny St. Bellefonte, PA 16823