Rose M. Mayo, 101, died Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Cottagewood Senior Communities. Her body has been donated to Mayo Clinic, a continuation of her living her whole life according to the precepts of John Wesley: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

Rose was born on Staten Island, NY on November 28, 1912, daughter of Gennaro and Luisa Catella. She married Robert C. Mayo on April 9, 1939 in Oneonta, NY and then lived in Albany, NY until moving to South Bethlehem, NY in 1947, where she lived for 50 years. She moved to Rochester, MN in 1997 following the death of her husband.

Rose was a loving wife and mother, devoted to her family, her faith, her music, her community and her gardens, especially her flowers. She was always an active leader in her church, Sunday School and WSCS locally and regionally, led both the local and state PTA, was an avid knitter, and was a superb cook and baker. She gave tirelessly of her time and talents. Blessed with a beautiful voice, she was a steadfast member of various choirs for more than 80 years.

After moving to Rochester, she joined Christ United Methodist Church, where she was an active member of the choir, knitted tirelessly for the knitting group at the Rochester Senior Center, helped prepare weekly for the Saturday Noon Meals program and was a member of the Eden Garden Club.

Rose is survived by daughters Carolyn (George) Heyne, Mary (Allyn) Shaw, Muriel Darling, and daughter-in-law Marilyn Mayo, grandchildren: Catherine Heyne, Allison (Jon Bourne) Heyne, Deborah (Aaron) Gross, Stephen (Tara) Heyne, Rebecca (Ken) Harkin, Loralee Spencer, John (Lita) Ross, Ronald (Mary) Mayo, Michael Mayo, Pamela (Marty) West, Bridget (Isai) Castillo, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, four brothers, one sister, two half-brothers, two step-brothers, one step-sister, son Charles R. Mayo, son-in-law Paul Darling, one great-grandchild and two step-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 pm on May 17th at the Christ United Methodist Church.  There will be a visitation one half hour prior to the start of the service at the church.  Interment will be in the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery in Cooperstown, NY at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the music program of Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester, MN, to Rochester Senior Center, Rochester, MN or to South Bethlehem United Methodist Church, South Bethlehem, NY.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com