Rosalie Marion Trussler Mahoney

Rosalie Mahoney, 97, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville on Tuesday, February 1, 2020.

Rosalie Marion Trussler Mahoney was born in Port Talbot, South Wales, United Kingdom on July 26, 1924.  She was the oldest child of Muriel Adrienne (Morgan) Trussler and William John Trussler. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ivor John Trussler, her parents, her sister Marjorie Elizabeth Trussler, and her husband, who died June 27, 2006.

Rosalie spent her childhood in beautiful Port Talbot, Wales.  She was an avid student and enjoyed studying French, British History and playing field hockey.  She noted that the actor, Richard Burton, was one of her classmates in elementary and secondary school. Rosalie loved music and excelled in piano in her youth. As an adult, she taught piano and was an organist and pianist for her church. She shared stories about her family’s musical and artistic abilities and would reminisce about listening to Welsh choirs and the almost innate ability of the Welsh people to sing harmony.

Rosalie spoke enthusiastically about her childhood in Wales, but also relayed the extreme difficulties of growing up in Great Britain during the progression and height of World War II.   She said that Port Talbot’s strategic location, shipping harbor, steel mill, and rail system made it a regular target for bombers. German bombers would fly over Port Talbot every night after bombing London.  Her family spent many evenings hiding in an underground shelter with lights off throughout the city.

Rosalie experienced firsthand the shortages of food during the war.  She said families were issued food ration books and regularly stood in line for food.  Each individual was issued 4 oz. of meat per week.  They received one egg a month and enough flour to make a cake.

She met her husband Lawrence (Sam) Mahoney, from Unionville Missouri, captain in the U.S. Army 333 ^rd Special Service Engineers Regiment, when he was stationed at Porthcawl, South Wales.  He frequently visited Port Talbot to make calls to London’s headquarters for orders from the British Railway, as it had the best communication system at that time. Rosalie who worked as the Station Master’s Secretary for the British Railway.  When she met Lawrence, it was love at first sight. She said their very simple first date consisted of a candy bar, chewing gum and K-Rations.

Several weeks after their first date, Lawrence was part of the D-Day invasion at Utah Beach.  He was in four major battles during the European Campaign.  After the Battle of the Rhine, Lawrence returned to Port Talbot and on October 13, 1945, Lawrence and Rosalie were married.

Rosalie and Lawrence returned to Unionville, May 20 ^th , 1946.  In June 1946, Lawrence was recalled to active duty, and they were sent to Yermo, California.  They returned to Unionville and shortly upon return, she gave birth to Sam.  One year later she gave birth to Michael

Rosalie truly embraced the role of a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and homemaker.  She was a tremendous cook and was known for her excellent pies, breads, and her expertise in the kitchen.  She made delicious recipes passed down from her mother. Rosalie’s grandmother Trussler was a master seamstress and taught her how to sew at a young age.  She loved sewing, quilting, crocheting, needle point, and painting ceramics.  Rosalie had an extensive garden and took great pleasure in growing a variety of vegetables and flowers.  She loved roses, columbines, poppies, and daffodils.  She was especially fond of daffodils because they reminded her of them growing wild, covering the rolling hills and mountains of Wales.

Rosalie returned to Wales many times over the years with Lawrence and Michael until her health prevented her from traveling. She would sometimes laugh as she thought she had lost her accent over the years.  She said that in the U. S., she was frequently asked if she was from England, but while visiting Great Britain, the locals asked her if she was Canadian. People that knew Rosalie well remember that even after leaving the United Kingdom she continued her delight in many things British: she loved her daily tea and often tuned in each week to watch her favorite British television shows.  She also continued to correspond with British relatives and friends over the years.

Rosalie and Lawrence were married for 60 years. Lawrence was active in the American Legion and Rosalie in the Legion Auxiliary. They shared many fond memories and had an extensive and beautiful collection of photos from their travels. Lawrence shared his photography while Rosalie would share her personal love and history of the country and could describe the details and stories behind each photo.

Rosalie played the piano at the First Baptist Church and the piano and organ at the First Christian Church in Unionville where she was a member for many years.  Her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all share her love of music and enjoy playing the piano. Our family would like to thank Michael for his unending dedication to our mother during the last 3 years in the Putnam County Care Center.  He visited her every day. He played hymns for her, and she loved to hear those melodies which she played so often at church.

Rosalie was an excellent historian.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren frequently asked questions about what life was like during World War II.  Rosalie had great wit and an extremely quick recall.  She continued to enjoy reading and writing until her vision began to fail in recent years.  Rosalie remarked she was always amazed at her life considering she was a cancer survivor and recovered from multiple orthopedic surgeries.

We would like to thank the nursing home workers and hospital nurses for their kindness.  Also, thank you to Chaplain Carrol Davenport and the nurses from Hospice who cared for her.

Rosalie is survived by her son, Michael William Mahoney of Unionville, MO; son Sam Lloyd Mahoney and wife Teresa Anne of Overland Park, KS; two granddaughters, Michelle Anthony and husband Scott Anthony and great-grandchildren Liam and Elyse of Overland Park, KS; Melissa Umscheid and husband Denny and great-grandchildren Laura and Anna of Olathe, KS.

Rosalie loved her family and friends.  She loved the Lord and shared her faith with others.  She was thankful for her many blessings, but the greatest hope she had was the assurance that one day, she would see Jesus in all of His glory and be with Him forever!

Funeral services for Rosalie will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to Hospice of Northeast Missouri and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.