Rose Faith Rally (née Kavanagh) born August 22, 1934, died as elegantly as she had lived on June 30, 2021, a beautiful summer evening, with her family around her. She was predeceased in 2017 by her life-long love and husband Dr. Charles Rally. She is survived by her sister Irene, her children Anne (Norm), Charlie (Dana), Elisabeth, and David (Sandra), grandchildren Caitlin, Ainsley, Lucie, Sarah, Emma, Charlie, David, Chris, Sophie, Veronica, Violet, Jack, Liam, and Julia, and by great-grandchildren Kiara, Victoria, Jacob and Sophie, as well as imminent twins. She also leaves her beloved friend and confidante of sixty years, Chick Bachop.
Rose, known to her family as Lallie, often said that she led a charmed life. She was blessed with beauty and poise. Her husband was her prince, her children were her pride, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her delight. She made her home the centre of family life. Her house was admired by all for its sophisticated aesthetic, but its comfort was never overshadowed by its grandeur. The house was enjoyed equally by small children, tennis players of all skill levels, friends and luminaries from fields ranging from the scientific to politics to the arts.
There was never an unwelcome guest and always enough food for any number of unexpected guests. Early on, Lallie loved hosting everything from impromptu tennis parties to formal evening galas. As her children created families of their own, she began what became a forty-year tradition of “Saturday night dinner at Gramma’s.” Every week, she hosted dinner for between fifteen and thirty-five people, an event that drew even the most resistant teenagers. These gatherings formed the basis of her greatest legacy: she gave to each member of her family the supreme gift of a connection to every other member. Her husband Charlie worshipped her for this, and the evenings were cherished by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws and friends alike.
Lallie loved conversation. She was respected for her knowledge of history, antiques, and current events. She was well-read and an instinctive cuisinier . For twenty years, with her husband and her daughter Liz, she delighted Kerrisdale with her two businesses, Rose Cottage and Cottage Hearth Antiques. She and Charlie travelled the world with dear friends Don and Rochelle Farquhar, and Chick Bachop. Most of all, she loved her family and was universally loved in return. Her long life was filled with love, happiness, and adventure. Her life was charmed, indeed.
Her family would like to extend loving gratitude to Carmelina Rigio, and for care and companionship provided in later years, to Dorothy Fidler and Lourdes Espiritu. The family would also like to acknowledge the superlative care provided by the Vancouver Hospice Society during her final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Vancouver Hospice Society will be greatly appreciated.