September 19, 1927 – November 28, 2018

Point Harbor – Rose Mary Small, age 91, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at Spring Arbor of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, NC. Rose Mary was born in New Haven, CT to Frank Franco and Philomena Nuzzolillo on September 19, 1927. Rose Mary married Donald C. Small on April 20, 1944, eventually settling in a suburb of Washington, DC to raise their family of four sons and a daughter. Don and Rose Mary enjoyed the company of their many friends, taking motorcycle trips, and spending as much time as possible at the family vacation cottage in Southern Shores, NC with family and friends. They loved the Outer Banks area of North Carolina so much that they bought a house in Point Harbor, NC and moved there permanently in 1974.

Cherishing the memory of Rose Mary (Mom, Gigi, or Aunt Rose as she was known) are Rose Mary’s four sons Lyndon (Pat), David (Rhonda), Clayton (Carol), and Gene (Christine); 11 grandchildren; Donald (Kendra), Scott (Monica), Melinda (Anthony) Gilbert, Shane (Georgina) Carr, Christopher, Amber, Kyle, Sage, Corey, Courtney, and Casey (Kelsey); many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless life-long friends. Rose Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brother George, husband Donald, and beloved daughter Anne Marie. Rose Mary will be remembered as a devoted and deeply caring mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend to her children, grandchildren, and everyone that had the opportunity to be in her company. Among Rose Mary’s many qualities and talents, she was an excellent cook and her chocolate-chip cookies were renowned among family and friends.

A Catholic wake service will be conducted by Father Bill Walsh, osfs at 2:30 pm on Friday, December 7, 2018, at Twiford Colony Chapel, 500 Budleigh Street, Manteo, NC. Calling hours commence at 1:00 pm. A graveside committal will follow the wake service at Austin Cemetery, W Kitty Hawk Road, Kitty Hawk, NC.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate and honor Rose Mary’s life immediately following the committal at the Small residence located on Griggs Acres Dr, Point Harbor.

Rose Mary’s family would like to thank the staff at Spring Arbor of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills for the loving care they gave to Rose Mary during her residency.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Rose Mary’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=40785&40785.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.TwifordFH.com.

READ MORE OBITUARIES HERE.