By Barbara Heckart
A 95-pound package of dynamite, Rose Bass has lived at the Springfield Masonic Community Home for 10 years now. She's been involved with nearly everything here and is known as the community's dog-sitter. Always willing to help out wherever needed, she is easily mistaken for the Energizer Bunny.
Rose is currently running the Home's Boutique, which she proudly keeps neat and tidy. Many patrons have complimented her on the orderly selections of not only clothing, but also books, shoes, hats, utensils and other items one might find in a very nice thrift shop. But our Boutique is missing one thing: price tags. All items are free. Rose keeps them well-organized and takes personal interest in what the customer might be looking for. She had an aunt who owned a ladies' shop in which Rose worked with her and learned about merchandising during that experience.
She was born in Barboursville, Knox County, Kentucky. Despite Kentucky's charms and her five brothers, Rose realized very young that there was a much bigger and more interesting world out there. She knew she wanted that. Full of ambition, she moved to Cincinnati and later to Columbus where she lived for 41 years. She found a career in Bank Ohio Corporation's Investments department.
She met her husband, Frank, a member of the West Gate Lodge No. 623 and a 21-year Mason. It didn't take them long to realize they were meant for each other. He adored her and it was vice versa. He brought her roses and candy and at least 14 times a day he told her he loved her. Her apartment is filled with family photos and each brings back a
special memory.
When asked to describe Frank, she didn't have to think long to remember his virtues. He was kind, a gentleman, had a good attitude, and his children respected him. He didn't worry about things. His children accepted her as their own. He was a baker in the Army and made great potato soup. She baked his children's birthday cakes and he decorated them.
Rose is quite interested in genealogy. Her great-great-great-grandfather David Chadwell migrated to America from England, settling in Chadwell Station, Tennessee. His family can be traced back to 1545. The family has a reunion every three years somewhere in Tennessee. They make a pilgrimage to visit their forebears' graves and decorate them. One of her ancestors was given 2,000 acres as payment for his military service. Pride in her family is quite apparent. There has always been a boy named David, after the original David Chadwell.
Everybody knows Rose and Rose knows she's found a home here. You can find her helping in many ways around our campus. She loves to help beautify the grounds, decorating Iredell Gardens' hallways and delivering papers. Just look around until you see a tiny little lady with a big smile on her face. She's helping and she knows she is valued.
