Rose Lopez Gamble

Rose Lopez Gamble

Rose Lopez Gamble, 91, passed away peacefully October 6, 2010 at Hamot Medical Center following a long life and a brief illness.

Rose was born in Erie in 1918. She is remembered for her smiling disposition and her traditional Italian sauce and meatballs, and was a well known professional cook. She had been employed by the Villa Serena, the Nuova Aurora Society, Fergie's Restaurant, Raymond's Restaurant, and managed the cafeteria of the Villa Maria Academy during the 1960s and 1970s. She loved children, was a caregiver and babysitter for many, and also had training as a teacher's aid.

She was a member of the Ladies Montenero Society, and an honorary life member of the Italian American Women's Association, and Sacred Heart Parish. Rose enjoyed taking chances at the lottery, buying raffle tickets, and playing bingo several times a week with friends. She was passionate about her family, food, and good music.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth J. Gamble in 1970, and by her parents, Teresa Donatucci Lopez and Richard Lopez. Also preceding her in death was a dear sister, Mary Eichner, a brother-in-law, Gerald Eichner, a brother, Joseph Lopez, and a beloved niece, Janice Lee Eichner.

She is survived by a son, Dr. Kenneth R. Gamble, of Erie, and his companion, Mary Grace Umpleby, three grandchildren, Kenneth J. Gamble, and his wife Lori Arcenas, Theresa Gamble and her husband Erik Mildner, and Tricia Gamble, all of Erie, and their mother, Linda Gamble. Rose is also survived by four beloved great-grandchildren, Jason David Gamble of Indiana, PA, Rose Amelia Gamble of Richmond, VA, Lili Arcenas of Erie, and Gabrial Crandell of Erie. She is also survived by a brother Richard "Junior" Lopez and his wife Alice Lopez, and a sister-in-law, Eva Fatica and her husband John. She had many nieces and nephews, including Edward Eichner, Matthew Eichner and his wife Jill, Jennifer Eichner Robson, and her husband Ray, all of McKean, PA; Robert Lopez, Randy Lopez, Ricky Lopez, Joey Lopez, and Linda Fiekles, Kathy Loomis, Lisa Zamierowski, and Lynn Rater and their families.She also had many great-nieces and nephews, and was godmother to many.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, 2122 Raspberry Street, Saturday evening from 7 to 9 pm and Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm. A funeral service will be held there on Monday at 9:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 816 West 26th Street, at 9:30 am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501.