Rose Safarian, age 99, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, born on June 4, 1927, in East St. Louis IL, died on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Rose was a former co-owner/operator with her siblings of Safarian Cleaners in Fairview Heights, IL. She was proud of her Armenian heritage and dedicated to her family. Always bright and a quick study, Rose was double promoted several times in grade school. Family was very important to Rose. She lovingly took her nieces to their weekly dance classes for many years. She also took them to Busch Stadium in 1966 to see the Beatles. Rose took her nieces and nephews on many fun vacations including to California, Las Vegas, and Disneyworld. Rose was always very involved with her great-nieces and nephews, taking them with her to bake at the Armenian Church and cooked special meals for them when they came to visit. Rose taught Sunday school at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, volunteered at the Fairview Heights Food Pantry, and was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church Choir in Belleville, IL. For many years, Rose also led the baking at Holy Shoghagat Armenian Church with her sister and many wonderful friends. She was known for her leadership skills and her delicious looysnags.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Mike Safarian and Lousig Kachadoorian Safarian; her brothers, Herman Safarian, Sam Safarian, and Dick Safarian; and her sister, Virginia Safarian.
Rose is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Lucille Safarian Schweitzer (Dave), Sandra Safarian Winter (Bill), David Safarian (Elizabeth), Brian Safarian (Lisa), Jane Alberter (Allen), and Michael Safarian; her great nieces and nephews, Erica (Gavin), Natalie (Jack), Jacob (Emily), Andrew, Rachel, Mark, Michelle, Eric (Jaclyn), Ryan (Jessica), and AJ (Abby); as well as her great-great nieces and nephews.
Memorials are preferred to Holy Shoghagat Armenian Church.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday August 25 2026, at 1:00 pm, at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL, with Rev. Fr. Taniel Manjikian officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
