Mariella (Sheridan) Rash
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mariella (Sheridan) Rash of Elizabethtown, died at the Rosiclare Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, as a result of Alzheimer's disease. She was 78 years of age at the time of her death.
Mariella was born March 28, 1930, in Kewanee, Mo., to Margaret and Harland Sheridan. She was the youngest of six children. She had four sisters, Harlene, Helen, Margurite, Enida "Kathy", and a brother Willard "Tige." Her family moved to Cave-In-Rock when she was eight years old. She attended Love School for her early education. During most of her childhood her mother was ill with tuberculosis. The disease required her to be periodically hospitalized at a sanitarium. During this time she lived with her sister Helen and niece Margaret Ann in Cape Girardeau, Mo. When Mariella was 13, her mother died. She returned to Cave-In-Rock to live with her father who owned the drug store and barber shop.
She graduated from Cave-In-Rock High School in 1947. It was during her senior year that she met a young country boy C.B. Rash, who had just returned from military service. They married June 28, 1947. This marriage lasted 52 years until C.B.'s death in 1999. They celebrated their 50-year anniversary with a party and trip to Hawaii.
Mariella was a retired U.S. postal worker. She worked as a clerk at several local offices. The last years of her career however were spent in the Elizabethtown facility. She enjoyed working with the public but welcomed retirement when the time came. She and C.B. enjoyed spending their winter months in sunny southern Texas, where they owned a small home in a square dance park.
Mariella was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elizabethtown. She was involved in several church functions. She particularly enjoyed assisting as sound system technician for the church quartet when C.B. was alive. She attended services until her deteriorating health prevented her from doing so.
She had many joys in her life, as with all of us she had disappointments as well. When her grandson Justin Livingston was born with birth defects she was devastated, but made the most of the situation by making him her "baby." His death in 1987 was especially hard for her.
As the Alzheimer's disease progressed she became unable to stay in her home. She was a resident in the Rosiclare Rehabilitation and Health Care Center at the time of her death.
Mariella is survived by a daughter, Sherry (Eric) Livingston of Elizabethtown; a son, Paul (Leslie) Rash of Ewing; one granddaughter, Brandi Livingston (Kevin) Aoki, Keaau, Hawaii; two grandsons Jade (Jenny) Rash of West City and Torey Rash of Christopher; three great-granddaughters, Lauren Aoki, Karlynn Aoki and Katelyne Rash; two great-grandsons, Aiden and Kyler Rash; and one sister, Enida (William) Benincasa, Boca Raton, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, C.B. in 1999; grandson, Justin Livingston in 1987; sisters, Harlene, Helen and Margurite; and brother, Willard.
Following Mariella's request, her body was cremated. Cox Funeral Home will be in charge of a memorial service at the First Baptist Church in Elizabethtown on March 7, 2009. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the church. The following service will be conducted by the Rev. Ed Lafferty. Everyone is invited to come and honor her memory.
There is another service planned for burial of the ashes later this summer for family and friends unable to attend the first service.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their kind deeds, comforting words and prayers in this very difficult time. Special thanks go to the caring staff of Rosiclare Rehabilitation Center and Dr. Sunga.
You may make memorial contributions to either, First Baptist Church, Elizabethtown, Ill. 62931 or Rosiclare Rehabilitation and Care Center, activity fund, P.O. Box 220, Rosiclare, Ill. 62982.
I remember your smile, your gentle voice, the warmth I felt in your arms, and all that you gave of yourself to those you loved. I remember how fortunate I am that you were my mother.