Friends, family gift Rita Clark with 244 roses for 70th birthday

January 27, 2011

Rita Clark, who celebrated her 70th birthday Wednesday, sits among the 244 roses sent to her via Steve’s Greenhouse from friends and family. (Photo by Jennifer Barr)

PUNXSUTAWNEY — As Rita Clark turned 70 Wednesday, her daughter, Chrissy Clark, wrote a thoughtful message to all who know her in hopes to make the day more than one to be remembered:

“A special time is coming you see, for a woman we all know is turning seventy.

To make her day special and grand, I dream of seeing seventy roses in her hand.

To make this dream complete and true, I will need some help from all of you.”

As everybody’s “Aunt Rita” was celebrating her birthday Wednesday, Steve and Susie Roseman showed up at the doorstep bearing 244 roses of all colors and individual cards from all who sent warm wishes.

This was a very meaningful birthday for Mrs. Clark and for all who know her, as she has been through many challenges in her life, including two types of cancer — one of which was breast cancer — as well as a massive stroke and a brain bleed.

But as for Wednesday, everyone had a smile as Mrs. Clark was surrounded by roses, saying, “I always wanted to be in a garden of roses.”