Rosemary Shad, 73, of Arlington and Woodbridge, Virginia, passed away on May 13, 2026, at Virginia Hospital Center, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Rose was born on July 5, 1952, in Grafenwöhr, Germany, to Ingeborg Rosa Heller.

Rose graduated from Groveton High School in 1971 before attending Northern Virginia Community College. She worked with the Catholic Diocese of Arlington as an Office Manager/Contract Administrator for 38 years. A few of her passions were horses, unicorns, Sci-Fi, Grogu, her dog Oreo, wine, and her family. One of her most notable achievements was her son, Eric.

Rose will be remembered for her generosity, putting others ahead of herself even when she didn't have much. She will also be remembered as an industrious person, always having something to do. Her hobbies included making buttons, crocheting, conventions, men, horseback riding, and card games. She touched the lives of many through raising money for charities, even getting on the radio to promote a charity.

Rose is survived by her son, Eric Shad; daughter-in-law, Angela Shad; three grandchildren, Crystal Shad, Christian Shad, and Arthur Chambers; and is preceded in death by her older brother, Henry Carr; and her mother, Ingeborg Rosa Carr.

A celebration of life will be held on June 18th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Unity of Fairfax in Oakton, Virginia.