Rose Leutu Alai Samana McNeave, 93, of Westminster, died peacefully at Carroll Hospice Dove House on Saturday night, September 15, 2018 after suffering a stroke in her home that afternoon. Born July 31st, 1925 in Tutuila, American Samoa, a territory of the U.S., she was the daughter of the late Alai and Veve Samana of Leone, Tutuila. She was the wife of the late Robert L. McNeave whom she met in Honolulu, HI in 1954.
They were married for 47 years until his death in October 2001. Rose was a graduate of The Leone Sister’s School and The Nursing Training School of American Samoa under the Navy doctors and nurses at The Hospital of American Samoa. After graduation Rose was sent to Honolulu for further education at The University of Hawaii with the plan to return to Samoa to work but she was to marry and move to Westminster, MD where her husband’s family lived.
In 1957 Rose received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Columbia Union College then started a family. In 1967 Rose worked as a Nurse Supervisor for the Nursing Dept. at The Kennedy Institute when it first opened at The John’s Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Rose went on to work for the Maryland Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene at the Carroll County Health Dept. in Westminster.
She became a Director of Women’s Services which included Maternity, Family Planning and Colposcopy Services. Rose would remain at the Health Dept. until her retirement in 1988.
Rose was an involved member of the Westminster Seventh-day Adventist Church. She taught children and adult classes and enjoyed visiting and singing with the Sunshine Band in Nursing Homes or in homes of shut-in church members. She had a deep faith and trust in God and a rich prayer life – always asking for His guidance and always remembering to thank Him.
Rose was a member of The American Samoa Society of Washington, D.C. and participated in many cultural events and activities. Her values were deeply rooted in “The Samoan Way” – family, respect, care and the traditions. Rose enjoyed flowers, reading, sleeping, visiting, giving gifts, sending cards & letters, singing & playing the Ukulele & Autoharp.
She loved her children very much and enjoyed her grandchildren with all her heart. In her recent years the simple pleasures of life were her joy – visits from family and friends, music, enjoying a meal, peppermints and being at home. Rose is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Kathleen McNeave of Westminster; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” McGuire and Joseph Costantini; Sister, Tupito V. Godinet of Oceanside, CA; brother, Pati Veavea of California; Sister-in-law, Violet McNeave of St. Petersburg, FL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Evleyn and Roland Chevillar of Hanover, PA and Kenneth and Pat McNeave of Dunedin, FL; Grandchildren, Hannah (McGuire) & Tiago Silva, Robert McNeave, Hayden McGuire, Kaci McNeave and Rachel McNeave; Step-grandchildren, Angela, Mary, Julianna and Rafael Costantini; and numberouse nieces,nephews and relatives in Samoa, Hawaii and the Mainland.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her son, Carl R. McNeave and brother, Rev. Frank F. Heather. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21st at the Westminster Seventh-day Adventist Church, 320 Crest Lane, Westminster, MD 21157.
Private burial for the family will be in St. John’s (Leisters) Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, in Westminster. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Christian Education Fund c/o Westminster SDA Church, 320 Crest Lane, Westminster, MD 21157.
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