Rose Rita Paras, 90, of Port Charlotte, Florida died Monday, June 10, 2013.

Rose was born October 2, 1922, to Joseph and Rose M. Doria in Bayonne, New Jersey. At age 18 months she moved to Staten Island, New York where she grew up.

She graduated from Curtis High School in January, 1940, then Staten Island Hospital School of Nursing in September, 1943 as a registered nurse. She joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in October, 1944, as a second lieutenant. She served in the United States and Europe from 1944 to 1946, and was promoted to first lieutenant while serving on a hospital train in Europe. After the war, Rose did postgraduate work at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City, NJ, New York University and Marymount College.

On September 6, 1948, Rose married Bruno Albert Paras, son of John and Aniela Paras of Staten Island, NY. They lived in Oswego, New York while Bruno attended college, then moved to Arlington, Virginia in 1951, where Bruno had a long career as an industrial arts teacher. While in Virginia, Rose worked for the Arlington, Virginia Nurse Association, and Arlington Public Schools as a nurse. She then worked for the Head Start program for ten years, and as an occupational health nurse with the U.S. Postal Service, until her retirement in 1980, when she and Bruno moved to Port Charlotte, Florida.

Rose had a very active retirement life in Port Charlotte, belonging to the Women’s Overseas League, the Veterans Council, Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, Catholic Council of Women, Senior Friends, and many other retirement organizations. She was also a founding member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church , Port Charlotte, Florida, where she was founder of the Women’s Guild.

Rose is survived by her two children, three grandchildren, brother Joseph J. Doria, and sister Beatrice Doria. Her son Charles E. Paras resides in La Plata, Maryland with his wife Peggy Wells Paras, and their children Gustin Paras and Samuel Paras. Her daughter Patricia A. Williams, her husband Charles L. Williams, and their daughter Nicole C. Williams live in Alexandria, Virginia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday 9:30 AM, June 18, 2013 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Arlington, VA. Interment will military honors will follow at Quantico National Cemetery, Quantico, VA. A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday 11:00 AM, June 27, 2013 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Port Charlotte. Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the memory book and extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral H