Rose Jean Graci, 98, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on February 24, 2025. Rose was born July 24, 1926, in Brant, New York, to parents, James Andolina and Anna Polito Andolina. At the age of 6, Rose’s family moved to Buffalo, New York where she grew up and lived for forty years. She spent much of her life in Atlanta, Georgia, and the last 24 years in Boise, Idaho.
During World War 2, at age 17, Rose worked in an aircraft factory as a riveter (a real life Rosie the Riveter). She was beautiful and was chosen to be a pin-up girl for the factory. She was married to John Graci in 1945 and had 3 children. She worked in a variety of service and retail stores over the years and finally achieved her GED in 1976. At age 65, she went back to school and became a certified Activity Director. She then worked at a senior care nursing home. Later in life she stayed heavily involved in volunteer service. Rose welcomed visitors at the Boise Visitors Center, helped children read at Cynthia Mann Elementary School and was a beloved volunteer at the Boise Senior Center for 20 years. She greeted visitors at the front desk, helped with the operation of the senior center thrift store, and founded a popular “Chat and Chew” discussion group that continues to this day. She was a recipient of the Jefferson Awards Foundation Certificate of Excellence for outstanding commitment to public service in 2020.
Pop culture and current events were of interest to Rose. She was always ready with a joke and unfailingly coordinated her outfits, perfume and jewelry.
Rose was a staunch Democrat and was fierce about her beliefs. She was of a tough-as-nails generation that saw more change and events during her lifetime than most of us could imagine. Her life was well lived, and she will be greatly missed.
Rose is survived by her son, Stephen Graci, daughter, Jody Meier (Mark),grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-granddaughter. She is preceded in death by her husband, John, and daughter, Angela.
Memorials are suggested to: The Boise Senior Center. https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/parks-and-recreation/facilities/dick-eardley-senior-center/