Rosemary Anne Bryerton

Rose Bryerton, 89, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away surrounded by loved ones on October 11, 2025. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 1, 1936 to James and Hannah (Flynn) Cunningham, and resided in Chicago until moving to Arizona (first to Bisbee, and then to Tucson) in 1964. Rose attended St. Gabriel’s School and Mercy High School. She attended DePaul University and worked as a secretary at Texaco, where she met her husband, Charles “Bud” Bryerton. She returned to work in 1971 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she worked as a discharge planner until 2005. Rose enjoyed working in the Social Work department with amazing colleagues that included the St. Joseph’s of Carondelet Nuns. She was proud to have helped Sister Kathleen Clark write proposals to establish Casa de Los Ninos in Tucson. Sister Kathleen encouraged Rose to speak before the Board of St. Joseph’s to request establishing onsite daycare for employees. Rose enjoyed breaking ground for Casita Jose daycare with executives of Carondelet, and community members. When Rose retired, children from Casita Jose sang songs at her hospital party.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, and her daughter, Anne Bryerton. Rose is survived by six children, Kathleen Bryerton, Charles “Butch” Bryerton, Margaret “Margie” Bryerton, James “Jim” Bryerton, Michael Bryerton (Debe), and Rosemary Bryerton Schiff (Mark); her sister, Anne Taylor (Steven); sixteen grandchildren, Ryan Preble-Gaitz (Celia) and Kaitlin Preble, Connor Reemts and Sean Reemts (Annie), James (Becky Fisher) , Jeremey (Kali Warren), and Zackary Bryerton, Sara Fitzsimons (Justin), Jenna Blase (Charles), and David Seger, Sarah Haynes (Aaron), Amy Bryerton (Lyf Zinyakatira), and Kevin Bryerton, and Christopher, Elissa, and Elijah Schiff. She is also survived by eighteen great-grandchildren.

Rose was an exceptionally kind and generous individual, and cared deeply for her family and friends. She was a devoted mother to her seven children and a beloved grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Grandma Rose’s House” on the east side of Tucson was a second home to many and held countless memorable birthday parties and holiday celebrations. Rose enjoyed gardening, reading the daily newspaper, dancing, music, cooking, baking and holidays. Rose would spontaneously sing songs, and recite limericks that would marvel her friends and family. She was very proud of her Irish heritage, her love of potatoes, and her Catholic faith. Mom’s sparkly eyes and positive outlook on life will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was truly one of a kind.

Rose’s Graveside Service will be on February 2, 2026 at 11:00 am at All Faiths Memorial Park (Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery), 2151 South Avenida de los Reyes and information on a Celebration of Life event is forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Casa de Los Ninos would be greatly appreciated.

"When Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy,

All the world seems bright and gay.

And when Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure, they steal your heart away."

"Love you mom!"