Rose Mary Guard

Rose Mary Dion, daughter of Walter Dion and Emma DeMars, was born at home in Lake Linden, Michigan on October 20, 1930.  She was the youngest of five girls. She graduated in 1948 from Lake Linden - Hubbell High School. After graduation, she worked in Houghton, Michigan for the only airline serving Upper Michigan at the time.    In November, 1953, she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Guard, in a small ceremony at Roberts Park Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Bob was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison at the time and was allowed a long weekend pass to get married. The couple moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 1954 when Bob was assigned to the Washington Military District.  Rose Mary took a job at the Naval Annex to the Pentagon.  After Bob’s discharge from the Army in June 1955, son he accepted a position with Ford Motor Company.  Shortly thereafter, they had their first of four children.   Rose Mary’s endless energies and talents were dedicated to her family—as a devoted wife, mother,  and an extraordinary homemaker.  Bob and Rose Mary joined Northville First United Methodist Church in 1964.  All four children were actively involved in the youth programs, so Rose Mary volunteered her talents often - in many different ways.   Rose Mary and Bob came from families with a strong work ethic. Over their years together, the couple and their children worked hard around the home.  Rose Mary was actively involved in every project – no matter how big or small. Perhaps the hallmark “big project” was the construction of an 80-foot long, brick faced, 10-foot tall, retaining wall that took an entire summer to complete. Even pregnancy didn’t stop her -- she was shoveling and spreading limestone in her yard the day before Mark was born in 1968.   We ask you to join us in celebrating her time with us. She lived a full, active, blessed and engaged life.  In her last years, she bravely, and with great dignity, fought against Alzheimer’s disease. She remained in her home, surrounded by her family, until the Lord called her Home.   Rose Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years Robert; her children, Debbie (Priya) Prasad, Donna (Bill) Watson, Dean (Cheryl) Guard and Mark (Ranee) Guard; her five grandchildren-- Monica (Michael) Goldklang, Nicole and Steven Guard,Alex and Sara Guard; and two great grandchildren: Elliott Reynolds and Benjamin Goldklang, her sisters Violet LeSage, Madeline (Dave) LeBlanc and Marilyn Hewitt; and brother in law Truman (Jean) Guard. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews.   Rose Mary was a loving mother and grandmother, gracious neighbor, caring friend and wonderful wife - and the Lord has called her HOME—- HOME, indeed!   She is deeply missed and her absence leaves a hole in our hearts that will never fully heal. Yet those of us whose lives she touched were both abundantly blessed and immensely privileged.  And perhaps that is Rose Mary’s true legacy to all of us – that, we too, have an opportunity to touch others with a Christ-like spirit in a way that leaves them feeling blessed and privileged to have known us – and somehow - just a little closer to our Lord and Savior.                                                                     ---Rose Mary’s Family