Rose Gravlin

Rose (DeSantis) Gravlin, longtime resident of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Rose was born in Royalston MA, on April 10th 1926, a daughter of Leonard and Rachael (Amedeo) DeSantis. As a young girl she moved to Worcester with her family, where her father owned and operated a successful business on Shrewsbury Street. Rose graduated from Commerce High School as Class Valedictorian. Rose then met and married Frank A Gravlin in 1948, to whom she was happily married for 49 years. Together they settled in the Lakeview neighborhood of Worcester to raise their family. Upon retirement Rose and Frank moved to Mashpee spending summers there and winters in Delray Beach Florida. Following her beloved Frank's passing in 1997, Rose built a home in Shrewsbury, residing there during the summer months, while continuing to winter in Delray Beach. With her children in school, Rose re-entered the legal profession as executive assistant to Attorney John McGuire, Sr. of the Law firm McGuire and McGuire of Worcester. Rose worked as a Paralegal and Office Manager for over thirty years before retiring. After retirement she continued to work part-time for the firm during the summers into her late seventies. Rose is survived by her four children, Linda Pilla and her husband Richard of Milford, Glenn F. Gravlin of Worcester, Gayle L. Gravlin, Ed.D., RN of Brighton, Jane C. Phillips and her husband Paul of Shrewsbury; a sister, Angelina Roche and a brother Louis DeSantis both of Worcester; four grandchildren she adored, Lori Prehar, Richard Pilla, Jeffrey and Jonathan Phillips; five great grandchildren, Christian, Nathan, Dominick, Gracelyn and Andrew; Many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Besides her husband Frank, a brother Michael DeSantis also pre deceased her. Rose was a typical Italian mother who cherished her heritage, her family and her home. She loved to cook and bake Italian delicacies serving all the neighborhood friends her children brought into their home. Her greatest joy was having her whole family together, taking great pride in making all of the holidays and celebrations memorable. Rose loved to golf; she enjoyed her time on many golf courses with her husband and their friends on the Cape and in Florida, where she was a member of the women's golf league at Kings Point. Rose loved Ballroom dancing; together with Frank they would draw attention for their style and grace while on the dance floor. Summers with the family, especially her children and grandchildren in Mashpee and winters with family and friends in Delray Beach Florida became special memories that Rose cherished. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, July 10th, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Worcester. Her funeral will be held Friday, July 11th from the funeral home with a procession to St Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury where her celebration of life Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am. Burial next to Frank will follow in St John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances may be made to the Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, Rose Gravlin Memorial fund, attn. Kathy Trueak, 189 May Street Worcester 01602. The Gravlin family would like to thank the Staffs of Shrewsbury Crossing and Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital for the exceptional care, comfort and compassion provided to their beloved mother Rose.