Obituary of Rose Marie Force

Rose Marie (Cellan) Force, born January 20, 1935, on a farm near Alva, Oklahoma, passed away on March 16, 2024, in Houston, Texas. 

She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Richard James Force, and survived by her children Richard James Force, Jr. of Houston, Texas, Helen Frances Thomas of Page, Arizona, Robert Dale Force of Denver, Colorado, and Sheryl Anne Rardin of Carrollton, Texas.  She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she dearly loved, including Amy Alkola and her daughter Alexis; Christopher Force and his children Norah and Oliver; Deanna Allen and her daughters Brianna, Megan, Miley, and Lily; Janell Mellish and her children Charleigh and Tanner; Cody Thomas and his sons Isaac, Mason, and Luke; Aaron Force and his children Madisyn, Judah, and Elizabeth; Katy Sanchez and her children Gunner, Hartley, and Trinity; Hannah Lang and her daughter Kalena; Daniel Force and his children Kaiah and Killian; James Rardin and his children Isabella, Delilah and Noah; Mathew Rardin and his children Wyatt, Cole, Eli, and Grace; Andrew Rardin and his children Fritz, Tristyn, Emilia and Scarlett; and, Marley Gardin and her son Kal.

Marie and Richard lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for over 50 years and enjoyed many deep friendships there.  Marie graduated from the Oklahoma University School of Nursing and was a Registered Nurse and certified childbirth instructor.  She had fond memories of her service to expecting mothers and imparted childbirth and child-raising wisdom and guidance to her clients as well as her children and grandchildren.   Marie was actively involved in many civic organizations to serve her community, including being a Camp Fire leader and membership in the St. Edwards School Board, Carlsbad Cavemen Football Booster Club, Board of Trustees of Guadalupe Medical Center, St. Edwards Parish Alter Society, Beta Sigma Phi, Assistance League of Carlsbad, Catholics Daughters of America and American Contract Bridge League.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024, at St. Dominic Village in the Warran Chaple, 2401 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas.

The Rite of Interment will be held at a later date at Cherokee City Cemetery in Cherokee, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests tribute gifts in her memory be made to the Carlsbad Community Foundation (Memo:  Stephanie Fioretti Fowler Scholarship Fund) by mail at 114 S. Canyon St, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or online at www.carlsbadfoundation.org.