Ann Rosse

Ann Rosse

November 2, 1930 – January 7, 2023

VISITATION: Monday, January 16th, 5pm, with 7pm VIGIL at West Center Chapel.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, January 17th, 11am, at St. James Catholic Church, 4710 N 90th St, followed by INTERMENT at 1:30pm, at Resurrection Cemetery.

To view a live broadcast of the services, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button.

Memorials are suggested to Creighton Prep or Marian High School.


Ann was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, granny, and nana. She was born in Omaha on November 2, 1930, to Alfio Ciculla and Rose Conti Ciculla. She grew up with her parents and her sisters, Nell and Carmella, in a small house on S. 11th St. in Omaha’s Little Italy. Both of Ann’s parents emigrated from Sicily to join a large extended family of siblings and cousins who had already settled in Omaha. At various times, the Cicullas shared their home with a grandmother, aunt, and assorted cousins. They did not have much room, but they always had plenty of food and love to spare.

Ann attended Central High School. After graduating in 1948, she moved to Sacramento, California, and lived there with her aunt Nancy for four years while working for the State of California to earn money for college. She returned to Omaha and, in 1954, earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Ann went on to work as a graphic artist for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., creating advertisements for the yellow pages. She stayed with the phone company as it changed over the years, eventually becoming a creative manager in marketing communications with US West Direct before she retired in the early 1990s.

Ann pursued and appreciated art in all its forms. She created her own artwork with pastels, paints, and charcoal, she painted various ceramic pieces, and she did needlepoint and cross stitch. She also was a fan of Broadway musicals, theater, art museums, and movies. Ann had a sharp intellect and quick wit. She was a voracious reader, did crossword puzzles daily, enjoyed playing board games with her family, and could surprise you with her sometimes saucy sense of humor. Ann was an active member of the social group the Original New Friends of Omaha, where for many years, she helped plan and decorate for the group’s monthly lunches and participated in its book club.

Ann enjoyed her career, hobbies, and friends, but she was most proud of her role as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She married the love of her life, James L. Rosse, Jr., on August 30, 1958, and had two daughters, Linda and Sharon. Jim and Ann had 52 beautiful years together until Jim passed away in 2011.

Linda, with her husband Bob Spittler, and Sharon, with her husband Jim Fowler, gave Ann and Jim six grandchildren.  Ann often told each one of them – Lauren, Justin, Kelsey, Tom, Elena, and Nick – that he or she was her favorite. And she meant it every time because each child was uniquely special to her. Ann also was thrilled to welcome four (soon to be five) great-grandchildren to the family: Lauren’s children with Edward Francis, William, Annabelle, and Alexander, and Kelsey’s children with Megan O’Brien, Calvin and a baby girl due in June. Ann happily gave her time, love, and support to her family in all the mundane yet important ways that make life meaningful – cooking meals, hosting holidays, helping with schoolwork, babysitting, attending dance recitals, cheering at sports events, providing a shoulder to lean on, and offering encouraging words. She dedicated her life to uplifting her family.

Ann passed away peacefully on January 7, 2023. She spent her final days surrounded by all the people she loved most. Everyone in the family gathered to celebrate the holidays, laugh and reminisce, take care of her, and tell her how much she was loved. Ann will be dearly missed and remembered always.

Ann is survived by her sisters, Nell and Carmella Ciculla; her daughters and sons-in-law: Linda and Bob Spittler and Sharon and Jim Fowler; her grandchildren and their spouses/significant others: Lauren and Edward Francis, Justin Spittler and Liza Espitia Montoya, Kelsey and Megan O’Brien, Tom Spittler and Amelia Broussard, Elena Fowler, and Nick Fowler; and her great-grandchildren: William Francis, Annabelle Francis, Alexander Francis, and Calvin O’Brien.

7 Comments

  • Christy Rasmussen Posted January 10, 2023 7:21 pm

    Love the history. May you be comforted to know she was so loved and cherished.

  • Paul Bryan Posted January 11, 2023 10:56 am

    Sad to hear of Ann’s passing. I will miss her and all the talks we had as I worked on her electronics and technical equipment. She always cared about me with personal questions about my health, marriage, workload, etc. Rest in peace Ann!!

    My condolences go out to all her family and friends. We lost a great person!

  • Allison Spittler Posted January 11, 2023 3:22 pm

    Ann’s kindness was contagious, and her memory will live on forever.❤️

  • Carol & Dennis O’Brien Posted January 11, 2023 3:54 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Glad Ann was surrounded by her family & loved ones these last few weeks . She was such a sweet lovely lady and will be missed . Prayers to your family.

  • Vicki Billingsley Posted January 11, 2023 8:26 pm

    Sharon, Jim and family. Ann sounds like a lively lady who had a fun and vivacious life, filled with a great family! I’m so sorry for your loss, while thankful for the long happy life she lived. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this emotional transition. My deepest condolences!

  • Matt and Daniel Posted January 11, 2023 8:52 pm

    Kelsey and Megan always had the most wonderful things to say about Ann… her ‘saucy’ humor, her ahead-of-her-time career and world views, and her loving/welcoming disposition. What a legacy! Our condolences, Matt and Daniel

  • Jody Kentopp Posted January 12, 2023 6:28 pm

    She was ahead of her time. She had so many talents and is so missed. I am thankful that I was able to meet her.

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