Rosma Jane Arthur Cawi, 94, formerly from San Bernardino, CA and Millheim, PA, passed away in hospice care at Wynwood House in Centre Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012.
She was born in Vincennes, IN, the daughter of Vernor Lincoln and F. Pearl (Munsell) Crackel. Her family moved to San Bernardino, CA when she was one year old, and she spent much of her life in southern California.
Roz earned a bachelors degree in history (University of California) and a masters degree in music (Redlands University). While raising a family of four children on a small ranch with her husband Glenn E. Arthur, she gave private piano lessons in her home for many years. She later earned a teaching credential and taught earth science and music at Rialto Junior High in southern California. She was awarded a California Lifetime Teaching Credential and received a California State Teacher of the Year Award. She retired from formal teaching in 1980.
Roz is survived by three of her four children: Michael Arthur and his wife Janice Jenkins (Spring Mills), Candace (Arthur) Lowe and her husband Duane (Spring Mills), and Glenn E. Arthur, Jr (Camarillo, CA). She is also survived by five grandchildren: Scott Ballard, Jenna Victoria Altopp, Paige Arthur, Tess Arthur and Glenn (Geno) Arthur; and one great grandchild, Gavin Altopp. Her youngest son, Timothy Phillip Arthur, preceded her in death, as did her parents, her younger brother, V. L. Crackel, Jr., and her two former husbands, Glenn E. Arthur and John W. Cawi.
In 2000, she moved to Millheim, PA to be near her oldest son and his family, and at age 82 she began volunteer work in the community and was asked to tutor Penns Valley High School students to help them toward graduation. Teaching was her first love, and she very much enjoyed seeing these young people succeed with her help; each one of them became a part of her "family." Roz loved people, her cats, her Amazonian parrot, crafts, knitting, counted cross stitch, and especially music. She embraced the principle of lifetime learning. She was a member of Grace United Church of Christ in Spring Mills.
Arrangements for her interment are being made by Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service in Centre Hall. It was Roz' wish that this remain private. However, a memorial service and light meal in celebration of her life will be held on Sunday March 25th at 4PM at Grace United Church of Christ, 2 Steeples Lane, Spring Mills. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Music Program at Penns Valley High School, 4528 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875; or to Centre County PAWS, 1401 Trout Road, State College, PA 16801
An on line guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.