Rose Ann Williamson (age 95) passed away June 1, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.
She was born August 1, 1928 in Cherokee, KS to Mike and Filomena (Naccarato) Reda Sr. and was known in the community as "The Little Reda Girl". She grew up on Main Street and was educated in Cherokee, living above her parent's grocery business.
Rose Ann completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education at Kansas State Teachers College in 1949, with business, psychology, and home economics minors. She married John H. Williamson, son of Fred and Clara (Baker) Williamson of Pittsburg on August 9, 1951 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Pittsburg.
Rose Ann completed a Master's in Elementary Education degree in 1973 and John and Rose Ann raised their three children on Langdon Lane in Pittsburg. After John's unexpected death in 1977, Rose Ann became a single parent, completed an Education Specialist degree in 1983, was nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1993, and taught 3rd grade in Cherokee until the age of 70.
Rose Ann served in leadership with the PSU Alumni Board, the Kansas Federal Organization for Women, and the American Association of University Women. She was among the first to organize the St. Pius X Newman Center on the PSU campus, served as a judge on the Kansas Election Board, and attended St. Barbara's Catholic Church (Chicopee) and Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Pittsburg). Rose Ann was a member and leader in Theta Sigma Upsilon, before transitioning to Alpha Delta Gamma Social Sorority.
Rose Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Filomena (Naccarato) Reda, Sr.; aunt, Josie Naccarato; and her four siblings and their spouses: Jim and Darlene (Casciaro) Reda, Sam and Mary (Cukjati) Reda, and Tony and Fileda (Castagno) Reda, Agatha (Reda)Castagno and Battista. She more recently was preceded by her two sons: Paul D. Williamson (Nebraska) in 2020 and John H. Williamson II (Texas) in 2024.
Rose Ann is survived by her daughter, Clara L. (Williamson) Uhlrich and husband Charles, (Missouri), and her two daughters-in-law Barbara (Lombrano) Williamson (Texas) and Lori (Cherry) Williamson, (Nebraska). Rose has six grandchildren: John Uhlrich (Veronika Bladocha) (Germany), Anna (Uhlrich) Heaton and Casey (Illinois), Karen (Uhlrich) Shulik and Geoff (Missouri), Kristine (Williamson) Campbell and Kevin (Florida), David Williamson (Nebraska), and John Williamson III (Texas). "Granny Rose" has seven great-grandchildren: Brooks, Adelaide, and Nash Heaton, Olivia and Morris Shulik, and Charlie and Eddie Uhlrich. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in southeastern Kansas and Kansas City areas.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Good Samaritan-Millard, Omaha, NE, and Pittsburg State University.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg at 10:00 a.m., June 18, 2024. Dinner will be at the church hall following the burial at the Highland Park Cemetery. The rosary is planned at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, June 17, at 6:00 with a Visitation from 6:30 to 8:00 pm with family and friends.
For full obituary, see: www.bathnaylor.com.
