Rosemary D.
Swade Titler
Monessen
Rosemary D. Swade Titler, 88, of Monessen, died on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. She was born on Dec. 4, 1931, a daughter of the late George C. Swade and Pauline Creevey Swade of Monessen. Mrs. Titler lived in Redondo Beach, Calif., and Phoenix, Ariz., before returning in 1991 to Monessen, where she raised and lived with her surviving grandson, Anthony Ruiz, until the angels came and took her. Other survivors include three daughters from her late former husband, James Checco of Avella, Lavonne Rosales of Scottsdale, Ariz., Cynthia Popelas and her husband Bob Popelas and Jamee Checco of Monessen; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Patricia Kovach and Kathleen Swade Mappas (Nick) of Monessen; and a brother, George F. (Judy) Swade of Torrance, Calif., In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jack “Bear” Swade and her husband, William S. Titler Sr. Mrs. Titler was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Parish and before that, St. Leonard’s Parish. She graduated from Monessen High School in 1949 and through the years held positions with Page Steel & Wire Company, the FBI in Washington, D.C., the Donora Southern Railroad, and Fox Grocery Company in Belle Vernon, retiring in 1975. She was the first female to run for a Monessen city council seat, and though she did not win, she paved the way for other women to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Washington Area Humane Society, 1527 PA 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330, washingtonpashelter.org. To honor Mrs. Titler’s wishes, there will be no public visitation, and a memorial mass is being planned for a later date. Arrangements entrusted to DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen, PA 15062.
