Rose Celebrates 90 Years

Rose with her childrenBrian Hook and Shirley Rattray.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Bubbly and Caring Rose Hook Celebrates Her 90th Birthday

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

There was much love and hugs when around 200 people attended Rose Hook’s 90th Birthday Party at Vegreville Legion Hall on February 4.

Derek Fox emceed this event where he read Rose Hook’s biography which was written by Rose’s children Brian Hook and Shirley Rattray.

“Rosalia, (Rose) Engenia was the second born child of John and Katherina Saskiw on February 3, 1933 in Stubno, Alberta. Rose was blessed with a baby brother, Anthony on February 6, 1937. Rose attended Lesnew School till 1944 when her family moved to a farm southwest of Vegreville where she continued and completed her schooling at Old Vegreville School.

She married Micheal Hook from Mundare Alberta. They resided on a farm five miles Southwest of Vegreville.

Mike worked for the Town of Vegreville at the Public Works Department and Rose started her first job at the Co-op store as a cashier, then worked at the Central Wholesale Accounting Department and then went on to work at the Bank of Montreal where she remained for 33 years.

Rose spending time with her family and friends.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Mike and Rose became grandparents, enjoying all five of their grandsons; David, Darren, Dustin, Donovan Rattray and Tyrell Hook. Mike and Rose also both enjoyed traveling.

Both were truly blessed with 40 wonderful years together. They loved each other so much.

The family went through trying times with the passing away of Mike at 66 years of age on January 5, 1989 and then Rose’s brother, Anthony in June 1990.

Rose retired from the Bank of Montreal in October 1993, (33 years and three months), but this did not stop her from continuing to work. For 20 years, she took on janitorial duties with Marshall and Vicky Triska at the CPC Immigration Office and has also taken on janitorial duties at the Post Office, Lawyer’s Office and Vegreville Insurance Office and today is still continuing and assisting her son, Brain at the Post Office, Vegreville Insurance and the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church.

With a winning smile and a willing hand, Rose has passionately devoted herself to the community where she has taken on many volunteer positions: Director of the Vegreville Agricultural Society for 33 years and Honourary Life Director for the last 17 years.

Rose with her very recognizable smile.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Member of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada-St. Ol’ha Branch in Vegreville for 54 years. Member of the Vegreville Royal Purple Lodge #125 for the last 38 years. She has also been Secretary for the Spring Creek Cemetery Organization for many years.

Achievements that Rose has been awarded were:

For 2001-Senior Citizen of the Year, sponsored by the Vegreville Chamber of Commerce.

In 2005, the Alberta Centennial Award, honouring Outstanding Albertans. Family is so important to Rose. Her greatest reward is seeing and spending time with her great grandchildren; Ryan, Rowan, Willow, Marlow, Peyton, Kipton, Maddox and Braxten Rattray and also with her new additions: Hayden, Baylee and Jack Ferris, Alyssa (Jesse), Shelby and Brenden Shapka and Pepito and Paulita Talamas-Benitez.

Her hallmark is her compassion, her humanitarianism, the love she shares with so many people and her ability to go over and beyond the call of duty.”

Denise Komick said Rose has been her neighbour for 44 years and has been a great inspiration in their neighbourhood.

“Rose is always willing to lend a hand. She always has so many words of wisdom.

As to her secret to longevity? Rose said, “To live one day at a time; no matter what happens, take it in stride and it will always work its way through.”