Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

St. John Neumann Catholic Church

Rose Lydia O’Brien, 96, a resident of Heritage Harbor in Annapolis, MD died on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after suffering a stroke. Born at home, in Washington, DC, on October 28, 1925 to the late Anna Matilda and Nicholas Puchetti who were originally from Larino, Italy, Rose graduated in 1944 from McKinley Tech High School. She worked as a ‘Government Girl’ after graduation to support the war effort at home and was proud to be a part of “The Greatest Generation.” She shared stories about those times and remained lifelong friends with many of her classmates and coworkers. In her early years, she was a talented dancer, studied in NYC and taught tap; most of her friends gave her the nickname “Legs” because she had a great pair! During her retirement in Florida, she joined the “Kokomo Cuties” a dance group putting on shows at local senior centers and events. Rose could still tap into her early 90’s and would amaze her family with a little dance routine!

In 1948, she married John E. Titlow (d. 1992) and had her only child Leslie. In the early 1950’s she was ahead of her time, both working fulltime and raising a family. She was the office manager at Rubino Builders in Adelphi, MD for 23 years; and Racal-Vadic in Glenn Dale, MD. In 1985, Rose and her husband, John retired to Boynton Beach, FL where Rose discovered new interests – casinos, slot machines, racetracks, and bingo! She was not a big gambler, she just liked the presence and excitement of being around people.

Rose was beautiful, vibrant, loving, generous, kind, and selfless in her concern for the wellbeing of others her entire life.  She never met a stranger as she was friendly and approachable by everyone and was loved and appreciated by all who knew her. Often, when asked for advice she never judged or pried, she kept confidences and was a very good friend. She always made you feel important and loved in her life. It was her family she cherished most and she never failed to tell her friends about her daughter and favorite son-in-law, she was a proud and a loving mother. 

In 2000, she married John Aloysius O’Brien, Jr. “Jack” (d. 2012) and was embraced by his large Irish family to become their favorite Aunt Rose!  Rose made many trips to Italy with Jack, her daughter and son-in-law. Most memorable were the visits to her family home in Larino; and the celebration of her 90th birthday in Sorrento surrounded by her nieces and nephew in 2015, they were magic. Remarkable was Rose’s great sense of style, she was always ‘dressed to the nines.’ She loved color and patterns, she could never resist a good animal print, and her gold slippers were legendary! When out, strangers would complement her trademark beautiful hair or matching outfit. She was truly one of a kind. 

In addition to her husbands, Rose was preceded in death by her sister, Ann Matilda Breslauer and her brother, Arturo Armondo Puchetti. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Titlow Good and son-in-law Wayne Lee Good of Annapolis and St. George’s Island, MD. She had a very special relationship her nephew, Tommy Hammett, the Compofelice and O’Brien families, and a close circle of friends - Teresa Compofelice, Richard Stringer, Laura DeGrosso and her bingo buddies, Lettie Davis and Rita Markowski. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD on Wednesday, January 12 at 10:30 am. Due to current Covid-19 conditions, the family asks that anyone attending the Memorial Mass be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, and observe all Covid safety protocols.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Rose’s memory may make contributions in her name to <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/">Hospice of the Chesapeake</a> or <a href="https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate">Doctors Without Borders</a>. 

A ‘Celebration of Life’ for Rose will take place June 21, 2022 at her daughter’s home on St. George’s Island in Southern Maryland with details to follow at a later date.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

Rose Lydia O'Brien

Rose Lydia O'Brien

Rose O'Brien Services

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