Tina Rose turns 100!

Today is the 100th birthday of Battle Creek's Tina Rose.  Tina, whose full name is Tina Maria Ernestina Rose, will be celebrating with her friends in Battle Creek and with her family around the world.

Panama is where Tina was born and developed her value of education. She graduated from the National Institute of Panama as Business Expert in 1933. Tina received her Bachelor of Law majoring in Judicial and Social Sciences in 1938 and her Masters Degree in Criminology as Expert in Dactyloscopy (Fingerprint Expert). She started a business school in Panama while working in a law firm and managing the business papers for several businesses. Her life changed dramatically in 1944 when she married Paul H. Rose of LaPorte, Indiana. They choose Battle Creek as a good city to raise their family.

Paul and Tina raised 5 children. All of them graduated high school from St. Philip CC and Kellogg Community College, several from Western Michigan University. Three children settled in Michigan, one in Philadelphia, and one in Quebec, Canada.

Presently, Tina has 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson who live in: Battle Creek; Chicago; New York City; Melbourne, Australia; outside of Seoul, South Korea; near Toronto, Canada; Guayaquil, Ecuador; and North of Seattle, Washington. One sister and one first cousin and their descendants, numbering over 40 family members, live in the Republic of Panama; San Jose, California; and Denver, Colorado as well.

Tina has been very active over the years in community service. She has served as Den leader for Boy Scouts of America, Group Leader for Camp Fire Girls, American Legion Auxiliary, DAV Auxiliary, United Nations Association, Bishop Donavan Advisory Council for Latin Americans, WMU Science for Citizens, Urban League Board of Directors, Latino Representative for NAACP, Neighborhood Planning Council Advisory Board, and La Asociacion Hispana Americana / Spanish American Association. She started clothing drives to support area migrant workers. She was a founder of the Spanish Rosary group that still meets at Seton Center on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm over 40 years later, and was recognized and blessed by Pope John Paul II.

Her great loves have always been her family and friends, the Church, helping others, sewing, and crafts.  She is also known for her traditional recipes that have fed family and friends for generations. The President and First Lady have sent Birthday wishes to Tina Rose, and she would enjoy your cards and photos too. Please mail them to 532 Capital N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017.