Rose Mary Koski

Rose Mary Pennebaker Koski, 98, of Greenville, formerly of Edgewater, NJ, beloved wife of the late Anthony "Tony" Koski, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 30, 2021.

Born in Detroit, MI, she was the youngest of eight children of the late Leo and Zita Jaminet Pennebaker.  During World War II, Rose Mary worked in the manufacture of planes and ships for the war effort. In 1942, on a weekend trip with friends to Chicago, IL, she met her future husband Tony, who was on leave from the US Army Air Corps. The two sent letters back and forth across the country from Michigan to California for almost two years, until Tony asked her to marry him. A young woman filled with a sense of adventure, Rose Mary set off on her own in January 1945 for a four-day bus trip to California to start her new life as an Army wife. In 1949, they settled in Edgewater, NJ, Tony’s home town, where they lived for most of their marriage.

Rose Mary and Tony were blessed with three daughters.  Rose Mary was a gifted cook.  She was a Girl Scout leader who put together many events, including a summer day camp.  She later transported special needs children to and from school, and then worked retail in New Jersey’s largest shopping mall.  She had a keen interest in current events all her life, always voted, and did word puzzles to keep sharp.

She was a devout Catholic who faithfully attended Holy Rosary Parish in Edgewater, NJ for over 30 years. She ran their monthly women’s Sodality breakfasts and helped with two annual festivals.  After relocating to South Carolina in 1983, she joined St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville and enjoyed attending mass, volunteering each week to count the weekly collections, and saying the rosary daily.

She is survived by three daughters, Mary Bullock of Staten Island, NY, Catherine Koski of Greenville, and Susan (and Joseph) Provenzano of Greer; two grandsons, Andrew (and Megumi) Provenzano of Kumamoto, Japan, and Stephen Provenzano of Greer; two great-grandchildren, Leila and Liam Provenzano; and many nieces and nephews.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held Monday, February 8, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greenville. Burial will be in Graceland East Memorial Park, Simpsonville, SC. Due to the pandemic, there will be no public visitation. Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown Chapel has care of her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for academic scholarships may be made to the St. Mary's Catholic School Annual Fund, 101 Hampton Ave., Greenville, SC 29601.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.