Obituary of Joan Ostovich Rose

Joan Ostovich Rose was born on July 7, 1940 in Clairton, Pennsylvania. After a life richly filled with love, laughter, faith, and compassion, Joan passed into the arms of God, in the presence of her family, on December 26, 2014. Joan was greatly loved by all who knew her. She never ran out of interesting stories about her many life experiences and her family, and she always conveyed her tales with a warm humor. She was blessed with common sense, astounding energy, an engaging personality, and a quiet inner strength. Joan maintained her distinctive grace, dignity, and humor, even in the face of challenges in her life. Joan attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from Penn State University in 1962, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from West Virginia University in 1984, and a Masters Degree in Education from West Virginia University in 1986. She returned to school to pursue a law degree at the age of 47. After being admitted to the West Virginia Bar on November 6, 1991, Joan worked for a number of years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, and later in private practice, before becoming a founding partner in Sal Sellaro Thorn Culpepper Legal Group, where she remained of counsel until her death. Joan was a well-known and well-respected member of the Monongalia County Bar, as well as the West Virginia State Bar, where she served for a number of years on the Board of Governors and on the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee. Although she had an extensive practice in Family Law, she was most well known for her outstanding legal contributions serving as Guardian ad Litem for children, and serving as a Family Court Mediator. Joan gave generously of herself in countless ways, and was involved in many civic and social organizations. She was an active member of Suncrest United Methodist Church, where she could often be found offering her time and talent decorating the vestibule for each season and holiday. She was a member of the Cheat Lake Rotary, and served as Advisor for the West Virginia University chapter of Alpha Phi Sorority. Joan generously supported many local nonprofit organizations, including Christian Help, the Child Advocacy Center, CASA, and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Joan loved to travel and enjoyed entertaining when at home. She also pursued widely varied interests and avidly participated in golf outings, Book Clubs, and Garden Club, for which she served as president. She looked forward to attending local theater and the latest Broadway shows. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Ostovich. She is survived by her loving husband, Terry Rose, of Morgantown, West Virginia; her son, Erik Anderson, his wife, Emily Burrill, and their son, Joan’s beloved grandson, Rhys Anderson, all of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; her daughter, Victoria Anderson, of Los Angeles, California; her sister, Donna Bozin, of Monson, Maine; and many cousins from the Ostovich and Fetzko families with whom she remained close during her lifetime. Friends and family may call between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on December 30, 2014 at Hastings Funeral Home, and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on December 31, 2014 at Suncrest United Methodist Church. Friends and family are also invited to attend the funeral service, which will be held at Suncrest United Methodist Church on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in the niche of the columbarium at Suncrest United Methodist Church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center, 909 Greenbag Road, Morgantown, WV 26508, Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown, WV 26505 and/or to the Salvation Army, 1224 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26505. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com