June 5, 1918 – Aug. 4, 2012

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Rose Ellen Bush Howard, 94, also known as Rose E. Honderich, died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at her home.

Burial will be at Cypress View Mausoleum in San Diego.

A memorial celebration of her life will take place in the fall.

Mrs. Howard was born June 5, 1918, in Chehalis, Wash., since her parents, San Diego residents, had traveled there on business. Rose Ellen returned to San Diego with her parents when she was a year old — and she always considered herself a native San Diegan.

She attended the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Roosevelt Junior High School and San Diego High School. She graduated San Diego State College and did post-graduate work at the University of Michigan. She raised her family and lived in Natchez — her beloved adopted home — for 30 years, returning to San Diego to live in late 1973.

She had a number of interests, particularly in the welfare of children and in the support of patriotic and historic preservation endeavors, as well as the advocacy and support of various animal welfare organizations. Among others, she was a lifetime member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club of Natchez, and she also dedicated much time and energy to various women’s issues.

In San Diego she belonged to and supported avidly — with her grace, time, creativity and resources — The Gold Diggers, Children’s Action League, St. Germaine, Angels of Aseltine, San Diego Opera, Museum of Man, San Diego Historical Society, USO, San Diego County Women’s Council, Navy League of the U.S., and Valley Forge Freedom Foundation.

Rose Ellen Howard was preceded in death by her husband of more than 30 years, Forrest I. Honderich; her husband of eight years, Dr. E.C.S. Leavenworth; and her husband of 11 years, Adm. Joseph L. Howard.

Survivors include two children, Sharon Rose Honderich Kohl and husband, Andy, of Texas and Forrest Terrel Honderich and wife, Rafaella, of Virginia; two grandchildren, Pavlos Lucas Honderich and wife, Karen, of Alabama and Eleni Maria Honderich of Virginia; and members of her extended Leavenworth and Howard families, whom she loved and cherished as her own.

The family requests donations to The Salvation Army in lieu of flowers.