Kathryn “Kay” Elaine Rose, 75, died Friday at Hidden Springs Senior Living, Bentonville. She was a long-time resident of Staunton and Winchester.

Kay was born Oct. 21, 1936, in Albright, West Virginia, the youngest child of Earl and Verna May (Feather) Welch. While recovering from polio at the age of 16, Kay graduated at the top of her Kingwood High School class. She then completed secretarial training at the WWRC Technical School in Staunton. In 1955, she married Robert Franklin Rose, Jr. of Upperville.

For several years she worked as the secretary at the former Holiday Inn in Staunton. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the Augusta Lions Club, and enjoyed bird watching and gardening. Her biscuits and Christmas cookies will be sorely missed, as will her bright smile.

She is predeceased by her husband and her only child, Kenneth, both of whom died this year; her brother Paul Welch; and her sister Alfreda Folk. She is survived by her sister Gladys Allen of Waynesboro; brothers Darrel of Bryan, Texas, and Hugh of Kingwood, WV; and grandsons Jeffrey Earl Rose of Arlington and Thomas Franklin Rose of Croton, NY. She also is lovingly remembered by her daughter-in-law, many sisters- and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends old and new.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Upperville, VA. Following the graveside service, family and friends will gather at Omps Funeral Home for a reception in Kay’s honor.

The family will receive friends at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, Winchester, VA, on Monday, November 21 from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.

Memorials may be made in Kay’s name to the Augusta Lions Club, P.O. Box 2613, Staunton, VA 24402.