Rose Marie Yasso

Rose Marie Yasso, 81, of Fountain Hill passed away on Thursday, December 04, 2008 in the Blough Health Care Center, Bethlehem. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Bart and Mary Green Keating. Rose Marie was married for 58 years to the late, George F.Yasso, her high school sweetheart.

Volunteerism was an integral part of Rose Marie's life. Be it church, school or community Rose Marie was always giving of herself. As a lifelong member of St. Ursula's Catholic Church in Fountain Hill she did everything she could to help. Between the church, St. Ursula's School and Bethlehem Catholic High School, she worked too many bake sales and hoagie sales to count, and also found the time to serve as Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She rarely missed a sporting event, school play or any activity in which her children or grandchildren were involved. For many years she was very involved with SHHH - Self Help for Hard of Hearing People on the local, state and national levels. She led the local chapter of SHHH and attended state meetings and national conferences as the Pennsylvania delegate. She and her late husband were instrumental in the founding and activities of the Golden Hillers, where she served as the first female president. For decades she also served her community as the Judge of Elections for Fountain Hill. Later in life Rose Marie co-owned a small business in Bethlehem, Victorian Vines, which reflected her talent for floral design.

Rose Marie is survived by five children; Anne Marie Crown of Lower Saucon Twsp., Gerry and his wife Cinda of Bethlehem, Bart and his wife Laura of Center Valley, Spud and his wife Amy of Bethlehem and Mimi, wife of James Freed of Emmaus. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and daughter-in-law, Jean Yasso of Bethlehem. She is predeceased by two sons, Thomas and George B., and a sister Mary Jane Knouse.

Funeral Services will begin with prayers at 9:15 AM Wednesday, December 10, 2008 in the Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Ursula's. Viewing hours are Tuesday 2:00PM - 4:00PM and

6:00PM - 8:00PM and also Wednesday from 8:15AM - 9:15AM, all in the funeral home.

At the Tuesday evening viewing at 7:30 PM, there will be a special musical remembrance, which will be interpreted in sign language.

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Burial at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the George B. Yasso Memorial Fund care of the Bethlehem Area Education Foundation, 3910 Kipton Court, Bethlehem, PA 18020 or to Hearing Loss Association of America, 7910 Woodmont Ave, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814, www.hearingloss.org