Rose A. (Sherman) Geller

of Plymouth, passed away peacefully at age 96, surrounded by the family she adored, on May 22, 2015. She was the beloved wife of Dr. Milton Geller (deceased) and cherished mother of Carole Jabbawy and her husband Samuel Jabbawy, Dr. Sherman Geller and his wife Susan Levin, and Dr. Jonathan Geller and his wife Jan Geller. She was the beloved grandmother of Nathaniel Jabbawy and his wife Selena, Michael Jabbawy and his wife Lindsay, Benjamin Jabbawy and his wife Emily, Tobey Parker Geller and her wife Sarah, Jessie Cawley and her husband Kevin, Abby Wein and her husband Spencer, Hayley Geller, Julia Budnick, Lori Geller, and Joshua Geller. Rose adored her great grandchildren Griffin and Ruby Parker-Geller and Olivia and Max Jabbawy. Rose was a well-known, lifelong Plymouthean, known for her red hair, license plate “The Eye”, secretary for her husband Milton’s optometric practice and correspondence with perfect penmanship. As children, she and selectwoman Alba Thompson used to walk together to Cold Spring School, at that time, a one- room schoolhouse. Accomplished in many areas, she was the only member of her family to attend college, quite unusual for a girl at that time, at the University of New Hampshire. While her brothers Louie and Hy ran Sherman’s Furniture, the store that their father Abraham had built, Rose drove the furniture truck when Hy was away during WWII. Even at age 90, when pulling out of her driveway, she still opened the car door and looked back over her shoulder. She owned and managed apartment buildings, becoming close friends with several of her tenants. She was one of the original project members of the book, A History of Jewish Plymouth that documented the impact of the Jewish community on Plymouth’s history. Her family was among the founders of the Beth Jacob Synagogue, in the time when men wore top hats and came to the dedication in horse drawn carriages. Rose was a member of the Presidents Club of the Jordan Hospital, a supporter of the Plymouth Public Library, Pilgrim Hall and many other charities. The essence of Rose is reflected in the yearly scholarship that bears her name, “Given to an outstanding Plymouth high school student who demonstrates acts of caring and kindness to his fellow man.” Her eternal optimism will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Funeral services at Congregation Beth Jacob, 8 Pleasant St., Plymouth, MA on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 11 am. Burial will take place in Plymouth Rock Cemetery, 1000 Pearl St., Brockton at 2 pm. Memorial observance will be held at the home of Dr. Sherman Geller and Susan Levin, Plymouth, on Tuesday, 7-9 pm, and at the home of Carole and Samuel Jabbawy, Newton, on Wednesday, 7-9 pm and Thursday, 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Congregation Beth Jacob. Please designate “The Rose Sherman Geller Fund for Jewish Family Life” , Congregation Beth Jacob, PO Box 3284, Plymouth, MA 02361.