Rose Marie McNelis

On Friday, October 14, 2022, Rose Marie McNelis of Landenberg, PA, a loving wife and mother of 3 children passed away suddenly, at age 73. Rose was born on September 28, 1949 in New Castle, Delaware to the late John and Margaret (Salatka) Chiglinsky. Rose graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s in nursing and French. At UD, Rose met her future husband Joe and they married in 1975. During the first 13 years of their marriage, they lived on Little Mill Lane in Bear, DE where all 3 children were born. Rose spent her entire career as a nurse, caring for others and later earned a master’s degree in nutrition. Rose loved traveling and everything French. Her fondest memory was when her father paid for her to spend a semester in Paris. She was able to find and connect with distant relatives in Lithuania and visited them twice in the last 10 years. She was extremely proud of her Lithuanian heritage. Rose liked to sew and made all of her children and grandchildren beautiful Christmas stockings. She loved dining out, Philadelphia sports (especially the Phillies and Eagles), reading, learning new languages, and photography. She also loved gardening, especially her roses and was proud of her new rose garden. Rose and Joe enjoyed camping and fishing and passed along the love of the North Maine Woods to their children, especially Pat and his kids. She adored Landenberg and the beauty of the country that surrounded the home she built with Joe for 34 years. She valued education and pushed all her children to succeed in school and follow their dreams. She was incredibly proud of her children. Rose treasured every holiday and believed strongly in family tradition. Good food and a stiff drink were always included in family gatherings. She was an excellent cook; her oyster stew, crab cakes, baked brie, apple fritters and cookies will be dearly missed. Rose’s life changed with the birth of her first grandchild, when she became Nana Rose. Her grandchildren were the loves of her life and she spoiled them to the point of ridiculousness. We pray she is at peace and currently walking the streets of Paris. Rose is survived by her husband of 47 years, Joseph McNelis; their 3 children, Dr. Laura Johnson (Jason), Patrick McNelis (Bridget), and Christopher McNelis (Hilary); siblings, Marjorie Ann Chiglinsky, and John Richard Chiglinsky. The most precious people in Rose’s life were her 8 grandchildren; Sean, Rowan, Benjamin, Colin, Logan, Quinn, Grayson and Miles. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 pm until 4 pm on Monday, October 24, 2022 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 4 pm. Interment will be held privately.

Rose Marie McNelis

September 28, 1949 - October 14, 2022