Rosalie Marie Gau

Rosalie Marie Gau passed away from our lives to be with our Lord, her loving husband, Frank, and dear son, Steve, on December 10, 2020.  Rosalie was born in Fruitland, Idaho on April 27, 1926 to her parents, John and Anna Elizabeth Driscoll.  She moved to Sacramento during her high school years to help her sister, Mary Church, and her young family.  It was in Sacramento, on the steps of Immaculate Conception Church that she met the love of her life, Francis (Frank, aka “Buster”).  They were married on February 15, 1947.  They started their family in Oak Park and later moved to Lawrence Park, where they lived together for 58 of their 67 years of marriage. “Buster” preceded Rosalie in death in September of 2014.  She continued to live, independently, in the family home for another six years before moving into Mercy McMahon Terrace. 

Rosalie and “Buster” were very active in the Immaculate Conception Church and School.  They raised five children:  Tom (Kathy), Collette (Jim), Steve - deceased, Patrice (John - deceased) and David (Terry).  All five children attended Catholic grammar and high schools.  Our parents were shining examples of the “Greatest Generation” and how a good life should be lived.  Rosalie was a very devout Catholic, driving herself to daily Mass at St. Rose until last year.   She was the family go-to-person when prayers were needed for special intentions.  She seemed to have a special connection with God. 

Rosalie had 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.  Rosalie will be dearly missed by many, including relatives in the Driscoll, Church, Kehoe, Bate, Hays, Claridge, Morrow, Coyle, and Gau families.  She was a very open and accepting person and was loved by everyone who came to know her.  She was well known for her homemade biscotti and Christmas Spritz cookies.  Rosalie and her dear friend, Marianne, baked an estimated 55,440 spritz cookies over a continuous period of 56 years.  She referred to having something a little sweet with her morning coffee as “a little eye opener.”

The family would like to give special acknowledgement to the staff at Mercy McMahon Terrace, Monsignor O’Connor, and Sutter Hospice for the extraordinary care and respect that she received.  The graveside service will be private.  There will be a Mass and celebration of Rosalie’s life at a future time when circumstances due to the COVID virus improve.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sacramento Food Bank, Covenant House, or a charity of choice.