Jeanne R. (Rosarius) McKenzie

Jeanne R. McKenzie

Age 94, of Penn Hills passed away peacefully at home May 4, 2023.  Jeanne was born December 23, 1928, in Philadelphia to Paul and Alma Rosarius.  Her father emigrated from Berlin to Philadelphia as a young man where he met Alma Fritz, his wife to be.  As an infant, Jeanne journeyed across the Atlantic with Alma to meet her Father’s family in Berlin.  As a toddler and only child, Jeanne crossed Pennsylvania in the family’s Model T Ford before the roads were paved.  Years later her 3 brothers gave her the nickname “Queen of Sheba” since as the only child for 4 years her life was blessed before the depression. 

Jeanne loved life and said so often adding “Life is Precious”.  She had many favorite sayings.  She filled her life with JOY through her many friends and family relationships.  “You color my life.”

She met John Clarence McKenzie while waitressing at Leshers in Homewood.  He would stir his iced tea loudly to get her attention and asked her out for their first date to see the Ice Capades, she cherished the commemorative pin.  She married the love of her life, John C. McKenzie, on November 27, 1947.

Jeanne is survived by 2 brothers Max Rosarius and John (Arlene) Rosarius, many nieces and nephews, her 2 sons Mark McKenzie and Wayne (Deborah) McKenzie; beloved grandmother to Erin (Alex) Roth, Evan (Jessica) McKenzie, Shannon (Matt) Moran, and Blaire (Andrew) Buchholz; great-grandmother to Quinn and Lena Roth, and Reece and Finn McKenzie.  Jeanne’s grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her much joy in the recent years.

Jeanne nurtured her many lifelong friendships as she embraced each new chapter to the fullest.  Ruth from grade school. Joe, Jim and Marguerite from high school reunited later in life and too many to mention, but you know who you are from her career in Dentistry and years of volunteering at Forbes Hospice after retirement.  Jeanne made friends everywhere she went and remained devoted to her friends no matter how far they roamed.  Her friendships shaped her life.

Jeanne was a private practice dental assistant for many years before joining the staff of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Anesthesia Department where she served as Assistant to the Dean.  She’d often say, “Dentistry has been good to me.”

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John; father, Paul Rosarius, mother, Alma (Fritz) Rosarius, brother, Paul Rosarius, and sister, Virginia (Eugene) Zambrano.

Services were held privately.  John & Jeanne donated their brains to Alzheimer Disease Research Center, C/O Kristen Harskowitch, 3459 Fifth Ave, 4-West, Montefiore University Hospital, Ste. W-420, Pittsburgh, PA. 15213, where donations in their honor are preferred. 

Arrangements were entrusted to the Findlay C. Wylie Funeral Home, Inc.

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