ROSE MARIE KILLIAN HARRINGTON

Class of 1946-A

Rose Marie Killian was born in Pittsburgh on February 15, 1925. Her parents were Bernard Killian and Sabina Wisniewski, both born in Pittsburgh.

Rose Marie Killian, 25, Registered Nurse, married Donald W. Harrington, 29, Bus Driver, on October 21, 1950, in Pittsburgh. They made their home in McCandless Township, North Hills.

Newspaper articles indicate that she served as President of the Allegheny County Federation of Women's Club, and was involved with the Pittsburgh Blind Association.

According to the obituary of her brother, whose death occurred in September 2016, Rose Marie was deceased at the time of his death. She survived her husband who died in December 2001, and her step-mother, who died in November 2006.

FATHER'S OBITUARY: North Hills Record, June 29, 1979 - Bernard Killian, Sr. of Shaler - Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Millvale, for Bernard G. Killiam, Sr. of Shaler. - Mr. Killian, 80, died Tuesday, June 26, 1979 in the Veterans Administration, Oakland. - He was a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service. - Surviving are his wife, Marie Fortunato Killian; a son, Bernard F. Killian; a daughter, Rose Marie Harrington; a stepson, John Fortunato, two stepdaughters; Shirley Rieser and Patricia Allen, a sister, Veronica Kozlowski, and 15 grandchildren. - Burial will be in St. Augustine's Cemetery, Shaler.

HUSBAND'S OBITUARY: DONALD W. HARRINGTON - Died suddenly at home on Dec. 20, 2001 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Born May 30, 1921 in Pgh., PA. Former resident of the Town of McCandless. Past member of St. Alexis RC Church. Served with US Marines in WWII. Past member of Teamsters Union with Pepsi-Cola, Driver from 1951-1983. Retired to Ft. Myers in 1988. Played golf 6 days a week. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rose Marie Harrington and his sisters: Mary Louise Harrington, Anna Marie Cummings, Dolores Harrington, Marian Bartman; and his brother Regis Harrington. Don was also the brother of the late Francis Harrington and the late Paul Harrington. Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Jan. 8 to Jan. 9, 2002.

BROTHER'S OBITUARY: Bernard F. "Ben" Killian, 86, of Aspinwall, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. He was a son of the late Bernard G. and Sabina (Wisniewski) Killian; beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Vandergrift) Killian; loving father of Kathy Wagner, Sue (Joe) Sharpless, Michael (Mary) Killian, David (Cheryl) Killian and Jeanne Killian; cherished grandfather of Brian, Michael, David, Michael, Stephanie, Lauren, Kevin, Adam, Mark and Jeff; great-grandfather of Nathan, Arabella, Benjamin, Ella, Caroline and Zachary; brother of the late Rose Harrington; brother-in-law of Cass White and Phyllis Vandergrift; also survived by many nieces and nephews and his great friend, Macy. Special thanks to Diane Ebner from the family. Born in Lawrenceville, Ben was a star basketball player for Central Catholic High School, where he helped lead his team to a championship. After high school, he joined the Army, where he served at the rank of sergeant in the 2nd Armored Division, "Hell on Wheels", for two years and six more years in the Army Reserve. In 1952, Ben began working at the Main Postal Service, retiring in 1992 as a payroll supervisor. He and his family moved to Aspinwall in 1963, where he became actively involved in organizing the town's baseball program, managing teams in every age group, which included minor to colt league, throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Ben served as President of Aspinwall Baseball and in 1979 was named to the Aspinwall Hall of Fame for his leadership in athletic sports. In later years, Ben worked with a team to rebuild the field's canteen as well as obtained grants for improvements to the field and playground equipment. In 2013, Aspinwall renamed its little league field to the Ben Killian Field in recognition of his years of service to the youth of Aspinwall. During the late 1960s, he helped establish an informal youth basketball league that played every week at the Aspinwall Elementary School. Later, this team played at St. Scholastica, where it continues playing today, twice a week. Ben played basketball in this league until the age of 80. He served countless roles in the community as President of the Civic Association, Crime Watch member, Centennial Committee member and Republican Committee Treasurer. Ben served four years on council and 16 years as Mayor of Aspinwall. As Mayor, he was extremely proud of his police force and its dedicated officers. Ben loved his town and worked tirelessly to procure grants and secure laws that would serve and protect Aspinwall, such as a new siren warning system, security cameras, Swift Reach Rescue 911 and a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit. Ben was always involved in many community activities, such as supervising the arts and crafts program during the summer months, organizing Concerts in the Park and served as editor of the Aspinwall Advocate. He worked with local agencies, such as Make a Wish, veterans' groups and helped raise funds for local flood victims. Ben, along with his wife, Dorothy, were the true definition of selfless community service and helped make Aspinwall what it is today. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Ave., Aspinwall, where a parting prayer will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Scholastica Church, Aspinwall. -- Published in Pittsburgh Tribune Review from Sept. 16 to Sept. 22, 2016




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