Rose Jenkins

Rose Jenkins was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She was adopted by a wonderful couple Raphael and Elizabeth Kuntz. She grew up in this farming community. 

One of her first jobs was telephone operator for SaskTel.

She met her husband Norm in 1964.

In the early ‘70s, Rose and Norm moved to Grimshaw and thereafter to High Level, Alberta. While she lived there, she was Secretary Treasurer of this small town. She also loved working in her garden there, because the days were long, and she could stay outside longer.  From 1992 – 95 Rose and her husband, Norm, moved to a townhouse in Chase, to be near her daughter, Betty, thereafter moved to Deroche and then to Abbotsford. She and her husband Norm both worked in the real estate business for many years. She retired early.

After retirement, Rose & Norm bought a travel trailer and travelled extensively in Canada and the US.

The recent 12 years, her daughter Betty came to live and care for her. Betty and Rose formed a deep friendship, travelled together and did many fun things.

During her long life, along with her family, the thing she was most passionate about was serving her community. She founded several Al-anon and Al-ateen groups in Saskatchewan and Abbotsford, where she provided opportunities for many families to recover from the effects of alcoholism. She became a delegate at the World Service Level and handled public relations for the BC-Yukon division of Al Anon for many years. She enjoyed the traveling and being with people while she held this position.

Norm was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous and Rose worked very hard in Al Anon.  Their home was a place where folks in trouble could go to get steered in the right direction.  Rose handled public relations for the BC-Yukon division of Al Anon for many years. 

She was deeply involved in providing a safe haven for women who needed a hand up. She was deeply involved in outreach programs and places such as Al-anon, Peardonville house, and Christina Lamb. Rose was instrumental in furnishing rooms in the Christine Lamb House through the Catholic Women’s League of Saint Ann’s Church.

The history of Soroptimist International of Abbotsford-Mission is largely formed by the history of Rose Jenkins.  Rose was a founding member of the club in September 1981.  She was President from 1986 – 88 and again in 1998-99.  She held essentially every possible office in the club, but dearest to her heart was the Awards Program – the Violet Richardson Award and the Women’s Opportunity Award, with which she was presented. Rose has handled the awards for the last many years and has established them into our community.

She was also part of the FAN-tastic Reds - Red Hat Ladies where she was honoured and grateful to be queen for several years. They enjoyed many fun activities together.

She also loved her Catholic faith and very much believed in God and a Higher Power.

She attended St. Anne’s Parish church and made many friends there. She was one of the Chairpersons of Spiritual Development in St. Ann’s Catholic Women’s League (CWL).

Rose always had a smile for everyone, generous, understanding, a good listener, easy to get along with, loved and welcomed everyone without judgment. She was a great storyteller and an amazing public speaker.  She loved a challenge and her best saying was: “Get up, dress up and show up”.

She will be deeply missed by her family, close friends and the communities she has helped and touched throughout her life.

The family of Rose Jenkins would request that instead of giving Flowers, to please donate to these organizations:

Christina Lamb residence or Warm Zone – www.saraforwomen.ca

Peardonville House – www.peardonvillehouse.ca

Covenant House Vancouver – www.covenanthousebc.org