Charlotte A. "Char" (Mann) Rossow

Greece - April 4, 2022. Char is predeceased by her infant son, Matthew Rossow, parents, Cyril & Elizabeth Mann; & brother, John Mann. She is survived by her husband, Curt Rossow; children, Michelle (Steve) Horton & Marc (Lisa) Rossow; grandchildren, Jaryd (Marisa) Horton, Nick Horton, Jack Rossow, & Brooke Rossow; great-grandson Theo Horton; several nieces, nephews, cousins & dear friends.

Char's life story will be shared during her visitation, Friday, April 8th, 4-7 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.). Her funeral service will be celebrated, Saturday, April 9th, 11 AM at Journey Christian Church, 3955 Mt. Read Blvd. Her interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Those wishing may contribute to a charity of one's choice in Char's memory.


Charlotte Rossow's Life Story

On February 15, 1943, Cyril and Elizabeth Mann welcomed their daughter Charlotte into the world. The family resided together in Marshall, Michigan. Cyril, a former semi-professional baseball pitcher, worked as a plant manager for Eaton Corp while Beth worked as a nurse, mother, and homemaker. Char was the youngest of two siblings, following her older brother, John, who went on to be a brilliant and capable Navy veteran and dedicated worker at Eaton Corp, much like their father.

Over the years, Char grew into a strong-willed and intelligent young woman. She attended Richmond High School in Indiana, and later earned a bachelor's degree in business from Indiana University. She possessed many skills and was capable of excelling in a range of hobbies. Char was apt at sewing, cooking, baking, and most everything she put her mind to. During her time in school and shortly thereafter, Char took on the role of caretaker for an elderly neighbor until her death, standing in as her advocate when no family members came forward to help.

While she was attending Indiana University, Char met her future husband, Curtis Rossow. The pair married and had three children: Michelle Ann (Rossow) Horton, Marc Alan Rossow, and Matthew John Rossow, who went home to Christ at just 5 months old. Char will be remembered by her family as a stellar mother, who sewed the children's clothes when money was tight, cooked and baked family favorites, and planned trips out to Indiana and Michigan to keep in touch with the relatives. Char truly loved being a mom and grandmother. It was the thing she enjoyed most in life and pampering her kids, grandkids, and granddogs (Bentley and Winnie) brought her great joy.

Char was a compassionate soul who cared deeply about her faith. She worked as a secretary for the (formerly known as) West Side Baptist Church under Pastor Ken Knappen, where she was also a welcoming and active member of the organization for 35 years. She then joined the Spencerport Bible Baptist community for 10 years. Finally, Char became a member of the Grace and Peace Fellowship, where she spent the last 7 years until the present. She was driven by her love for Christ and His teachings and brought the message of her faith to all she knew.

While in the workforce, Char gravitated toward positions where she could interface with the public and put her interpersonal talents to good use. After her time as a secretary at the West Side Baptist Church, she worked at Matrix Industries as a typesetter, then at both Rochester Pediatric Surgical Associates and at Marc Rossow, DDS as office manager. Char enjoyed helping people in all aspects of her life, which made her work in medical practices especially fulfilling. She took this ethos of healing into her personal habits and lifestyle, too. Char was a fan of "remedies" - homeopathic, naturopathic, dietary, etc. and used her knowledge of these disciplines to benefit both her own health and that of her family.

Char liked to keep busy with activities and hobbies throughout her life. She was an avid cookbook reader, seamstress, embroiderer, cake decorator, fan of cooking shows, and volunteer at her grandkids' schools. Char had a great appreciation for hymns and religious music (along with what her family lovingly dubbed "elevator music"). Before she began to struggle with mobility limitations and deteriorating health, Char had loved to travel. Along with the trips back to the Midwest to see family, she visited Disney with the grandkids, took in the tropical climate of Hawaii with Curt, and even ventured on a scenic cruise to Alaska.

Char was the heart of her family and friends. She supported the people she loved with kindness and devotion. Her closest friends included Jeanne & Everett Nyhoff, Marilyn & Dr. Don Fureg, Maureen & Barry Morgan, Sue & David Jackson, Sheila & Bill VanHouten, Sheila & Mike Guimento, Alpha Jay Eaton, Janis Brown, and Eileen & Kea Tooker. Char enjoyed passing the time with her friends having meals together, playing cards, sharing experiences as parents, and simply appreciating each other's company.

By those still here on earth, Char will be remembered as a shining example of love, intelligence, generosity, and diligence. Her devotion to Christ and to the family she cherished is her legacy. She will be missed deeply by those blessed enough to have known her. In the words of her family, "Char was awesome."