Rose Dingle Edmondson, a longtime resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., and formerly of Trenton, N.J., died on Feb. 2. She was 83.
Rose was born in Trenton, N.J., on Feb. 17, 1930. She was one of five children of the late Booker and Bertha Dingle. She grew up in Newtown, Bucks County, Pa. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, Rose was a teacher in the Trenton Public School system, and before retiring taught at the Falk School at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a bachelor’s degree in science and mathematics from Hampton University in 1952 and a master’s degree in reading from the College of New Jersey in 1971.
Rose was an avid reader and dedicated her life to acquiring knowledge and promoting education for all she knew. She was an active member of Pierians Inc., a nonprofit organization promoting the enjoyment of fine arts. Her penchant for the arts was evident in her frequent attendance at jazz concerts, the symphony, the ballet and the theatre. She was a Delta Dear and Golden Life Member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Through her work with the Deltas, she volunteered at the Sojourner House, often helping women in recovery from addiction obtain clothing, sponsor fashion shows (she had a great sense of style), read and receive books and other necessities for themselves and their children. She was a member of the Black Association of South Hills (BASH), an organization dedicated to providing scholarships and educational opportunities to students from the area.
Rose loved to travel. She visited Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean with her husband and other family members — a testament to her global world view and understanding. While she traveled extensively throughout the world and the U.S., her favorite vacation place was Martha’s Vineyard, where she spent her summers reading, exercising, cooking and entertaining family and friends, ensuring that all who visited experienced the serenity of her Island home.
Rose is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 63 years, William Ewell Edmondson, and their five children: Dona Edmondson (Najee Ibn-Vann) of Ettrick, Va., William Edmondson Jr. (Makhosazane) of New Carrollton, Md., Dr. Jean Harvey of Concord, N.C., Teresa Edmondson of Washington, D.C., and Shirley Edmondson (Catherine Hill) of Albuquerque, N.M. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Jennifer, Phillip, Ariel, Rashida, Nia, Erika, William and Rodney, and two great-grandchildren: Jacob and Zenani, all of whom loved her very much. She also leaves to mourn four siblings: Booker Dingle (Marge), Donald Dingle (Nitaya), Shirley Watkins (Gordon) and Wallace Dingle (Elaine), and three sisters in law: Grace Harris (Dick), Marian Brazziel and Mayme Bacote, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service was held at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, Pa. Interment was private.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Rose’s memory to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org or American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Please add or view tributes at beinhauer.com.
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