ROSE AVERETT

February 1, 1923 - July 15, 2016

Rose Averett, born Rose (Rivka) Geller, left us on July 15th, 2016 as a result of living a mostly fabulous life. Rose was born on Feb 1, 1923 in Brooklyn New York, the middle child of Hinda (nee Glassman) and Harry Geller. She was married to the love her life, Sumner Samuel Averett, for 59 years. She is predeceased by her husband and her sisters, Jeanette Smith and Dr. Florence Geller. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Ari Averett and Henry Balser, Ellen Averett and Peter G. Smith; her three grandchildren Elisheva Averett-Balser, Ezra Balser (Laura Elkayam), and Harrison Jesse Averett Smith; and nephews Peter Russel Smith (Patricia O’Neill) and Gerald Schiff (Barbara Schiff). She is a graduate of Queens College in New York with a degree in early childhood education. She also studied toward a master’s degree in library science. She went to school while working full time and raising her daughters. She worked for many years as a secretary but found her true calling in teaching preschool. She taught in NYC, Cleveland and at the Village Country Day School in Mercer Island, WA. Her interests were photography, travel, tennis and junk food. She was a lifetime member of Hadassah, a member of the United Federation of Teachers, and the Pro Club in Redmond Washington. A special thank you to Care Haven Homes who helped care for her in a most compassionate way. Funeral services will be at 11:00am Monday, July 18, 2016 at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131, with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Contributions can be sent to Planned Parenthood and to support The Forward (www.forward.com/give or 212-453-9454).