Arlene Rose

Rose, Arlene. Born in New Bedford, MA on January 25th, 1932, died September 25th, 2022. A graduate of St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in New Bedford, Arlene worked as a Registered Nurse at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia and later as an ER Nurse at what was then Wyandotte General Hospital (now Henry Ford Wyandotte). She was greatly respected and admired for both her medical skills and her compassionate treatment of patients.

She joined the family retail apparel business in 1968 when the Chelsea Group LLC opened its Willow Tree store in Downtown Wyandotte. She had exquisite taste and a flair for buying and, for a while continued in nursing while making numerous buying trips to New York City. Soon after, her enthusiasm for retailing got the best of her and she gave up nursing. She continued as the driving force of Willow Tree until her retirement in 2018.

She lived in Grosse Ile with her husband and three sons from 1968 until 1998 and made many close friends on “The Island”, most of whom predeceased her. She and her husband moved to their Downtown Wyandotte condominium and was delighted to be so close to the evolving Wyandotte retail/entertainment scene.

She was the loving wife of Gilbert Rose, Mother to Peter (Janelle), Michael (Kelly) and Daniel (Peggy). Grandmother to Kirsten (Matthew) and Haley (Evan) and Great Grandmother to Anna, twins Alex and Max and Rosalie. She was the identical twin of Betty Fisher Chesnes, and the two girls were inseparable. They were also insufferable as most people couldn’t tell them apart and they devilishly delighted in confusing them.

Arlene Rose was a wonderful wife and mother, and a gentle soul who lit up the room and brightened everyone’s day. She will be sorely missed.

Cremation was private and no religious services are scheduled.

A “Going Away Party” (Arlene loved to travel) will celebrate her life in the near future.