Rose M. Choate

1935-2020 Former Williamsport City Controller

Rose M. Choate died Thursday, March 5 at UPMC Susquehanna surrounded by family members.

She was 84. Born July 9, 1935 in Williamsport, Rose was the second-youngest of Antonio and Nicolina Caringi’s thirteen children. Immigrants from Italy who made Williamsport their home, Antonio and Nicolina were the parents of Connie, Victoria, Louis, Ralph (“Rocky”), Kay, Lucy, Mary, Jennie, Angie, Rudy, Shirley, Pat and, of course, Rose.

Rose was a 1954 graduate of Williamsport Area High School, where she met football standout C. David Choate, who was the love of her life. The Choates were married in 1956 after Dave completed his service in the United States Marine Corps. Their love story continued for fifty years, until Dave’s death in 2006.

Rose’s career in public service included membership on the Lycoming County Republican Committee and two terms as Williamsport’s City Controller. At the time of her death, she was serving as a member of the Williamsport Parking Authority. Rose worked widely in the private sector, where one of her fondest memories was from her high school days, when she drew winning ticket numbers on the stage during matinees at the old Park Theater at Fourth and Campbell Streets.

Rose, a Roman Catholic, was associated with Mater Dolorosa Church until its closing, at which time she became a communicant at St. Joseph the Worker parish.

Rose is survived by her brother Ralph and her sister Shirley and by her children Kevin Choate, his wife Kathy, and their children Abigail, Alex, and Benjamin; her daughter Karen Choate-Bassett and her husband Larry; and her daughter Kathy Price, her husband Ray, and their children Chelsea and Brennan.

The family will receive family and friends at Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 133 E. 3rd St. on Sunday, March 8, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2020 at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 702 West Fourth St. with her pastor, Rev. Brian Van Fossen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions may be made in Rose’s name to; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org/memorial

Please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com to sign a register book or share a memory.