Rose Marie Zebroski

Rose Marie Zebroski passed away April 27, 2021, of pancreatic cancer. She was born November 10, 1955, the eighth of nine children of Richard and Pauline (Helbling) Boyle.

Rose grew up in Richmond Beach, Washington, graduating from Shoreline High School in 1973.

Her mother passed when she was 15, and Rose assumed many household duties and work responsibilities. Her can-do attitude and leadership displayed as a teen were evident throughout her life.

She married family friend and schoolmate, Tom Zebroski, at St. Luke Catholic Church, Shoreline, in 1983.

After working in food service and catering, Rose returned to school in her early forties, pursuing a registered nursing degree from Bellevue College. She graduated with honors and began working at area hospitals and clinics including UW Medical Center Northwest Hospital and Swedish Cherry Hill Hospital, in neuroradiology rehabilitation and medical-surgery care.

Rose’s life revolved around her family. Hosting large family gatherings was her gift and joy. Despite demanding work and college schedules, she was a fixture at her children’s school, activities, and sporting events. She also cherished her role as a grandmother, and regularly babysat during the rigors of pancreatic cancer treatment.

Rose and Tom raised their children in Shoreline and Woodinville, later moving to Kirkland, and then Gig Harbor. 

For several years, her family enjoyed a second home on Clinton Beach, Whidbey Island. Rose loved all aspects of the life and nature there—home renovation, beachcombing, bird watching and gardening.

Friends were an important part of Rose’s life. Among them, Katie Buurma, Deb Hermanson and Kim Whittle were notable sources of support and love throughout her life and during Rose’s illness. 

Commenting on Rose’s open-heartedness, Deb Hermanson added, “Even after Marie and Kyle were away at college, the Zebroskis hosted the annual neighborhood ‘Friendsgiving’ dinner. Cars lined up and down the street. Rose reveled in their stories and lives and was never afraid to offer a bit of valuable advice.”

Armed with a ready smile, wise solutions and just the right words, Rose was the anchor of her family. Her support and love were unconditional, no matter what the challenge.

Rose was preceded in death by her mother Pauline, father Richard (Dick), father-in-law, Frances (Frank) Zebroski, siblings Mary Boyle Charbonneau Harshman, Patrick Boyle and Terrance Boyle. She is survived by her husband Tom Zebroski, her mother-in-law Joan Zebroski, her daughter Marie Quigg (Jack), granddaughter Quinn Rose Quigg and son Kyle Zebroski, siblings Jerry Boyle (Mary), Cecilia Desmond (Doug), Elizabeth Nickerson (Dwight), Larry Boyle, Tom Boyle and several special nieces and nephews, including Tajsha Coleman (Paul), Brittany Liebert (Danny) and Brianna Marsh (Adam).

 Her family suggests donations in her memory to PanCan (pancan.org) or Lustgarten Foundation (lustgarten.org).

A private Funeral Mass for Rose will be celebrated by Father Mark Guzman, St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Gig Harbor, on May 20, 2021.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rose Marie Zebroski, please visit our floral store.