Rose Coulson

Rose Stone Coulson, a longtime resident (and former First Lady) of Waukegan died July 31 at the age of 104 in her residence in Covenant Living in Northbrook.

Rose was born in 1918 at her parents' home in Waukegan. The family had fled the Russian occupation of Lithuania at the turn of the last century. In the 1920s her Dad, who worked at the wire mill, was killed by a drunken driver along Sheridan Road. Rose, her Mom, and her nine siblings struggled to make ends meet during the Depression. Rose worked at Waukegan department stores and modeled clothes. While acting in a local community theater, she met a young prosecuting attorney - Robert Coulson.

They married at Christ Episcopal Church in Waukegan two months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Robert was immediately called up to active Army service. While Robert was overseas serving with the Office of Strategic Services ("OSS"), Rose literally worked as 'Rosie the Riveter' at Johnson Motors and at a defense plant in Rockford.

In 1949 Robert was elected Mayor of Waukegan , and during his two terms Rose was an active First Lady involved with numerous civic, church, and school organizations. Robert then spent 16 years in the Illinois Legislature, and Rose remained active in local affairs while raising three children. Her artistic and sewing skills were legendary. She met Presidents, wove family clothing, played guitar at club events, and taught the hula to generations of Girl Scouts.

Later in life Rose moved to Covenant Living in Northbrook, where she made new treasured friends. Even after turning 104, Rose was selling her water colors and winning regularly at Scrabble.

Rose is survived by her three children - Barbara Coulson Kurtin of Sherman Oaks, California; William Coulson of Glenview; and John Coulson of Sylvania, Ohio - and four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services were private. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 410 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60025