Rose Marie Gironda – Los Alamitos, Calif., formerly of Monessen

Rose Marie Gironda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sis-ter, nurse, teacher and friend. She went Home on May 15, 2022, at age 93. Rose Marie was born to Santo and Maria DiBiase in June 1928. After graduating from Monessen High School, Class of 1946, Rose Marie earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Pennsylvania State University. She completed nursing training at Southside Hospital in Pittsburgh. In 1950, she joined the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of first lieutenant while serving as a registered nurse, for which she received a flag officer citation. Her Air Force duty included 18 months overseas in the Northeast Air Command at Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland and Labrador. Other bases served at included Olmsted AFB, Pa., and Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Her favorite assignment was in the maternity ward delivering babies. It was in the USAF she met her lifelong husband, A. John Gironda, predeceased. They are survived by two children, five grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Rose Marie spent over 20 years in education, during which she earned her master’s degree in education at the University of LaVerne. She first taught sixth-grade students at Saint Polycarp Elementary School, then 17 years for the Lynwood School District. Her Lynwood years were spent teaching EMR and TMR students. Rose Marie’s love and commitment to her Lynwood students went beyond the classroom. She broadened the minds of her students with (then) innovative extracurricular activities such as excursions to amusement parks and learning to assemble wooden stool chairs. Husband John cut out the assembly pieces for the students. Rose Marie was a devoted Catholic. She attended weekly services at Saint Hedwig Church and volunteered in various capacities. A closed funeral service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity Rose Marie gave to — the March of Dimes.