Rosalie House, a resident at American House Park Place in Warren, will turn 101 years old Dec. 13. Here she is holding up a baby picture of herself.
By: Maria Allard | Warren Weekly | Published December 6, 2024
WARREN — Rosalie House always did things her way.
That might be what has kept her going for over a century.
The Warren resident will turn 101 on Dec. 13. Since April 2021, she has lived at the American House Park Place, a senior living community. Last year when she turned 100 years old, the staff threw her a birthday party. Everyone at American House will gather again this year for cake to celebrate her 101st birthday.
House, whose maiden name is Palazzolo, has packed a lot of living in those years. She grew up in Detroit with her dad, Frank; mom, Ninfa, both born in Italy; sisters, Frances, Carol and Joanna; and brothers Jerry, Dominic and Matthew, who was the oldest. Jerry is her only living sibling. Her dad delivered ice and coal to support the family.
“My dad was very strict with us girls mostly,” House recalled. “We were all brought up in a Catholic school, all seven of us. My mother was the best cook in the world.”
People were always dropping by for a home-cooked meal, and dancing was at the heart of the Palazzolo household.
“We all loved to dance. My dad was a good dancer to begin with,” House recalled. “Every time we had some kind of a party or something, all my cousins would be there and say, ‘Uncle Frank, dance with me.’”
During World War II, House delivered war bonds. While attending St. Joseph Catholic High School, the teenager held down a job in the office at People’s Outfitting on Michigan Avenue in Detroit. In high school, House excelled at typing, earning certificates for her ability. She even met the world’s best typist at the time. Her typing skills came in handy when working as a clerk first and then as an administrative secretary at the Detroit Police Department headquarters on Beaubien Street. She held the job for 25 years.
She worked in different areas including the general service bureau, special investigations bureau and armed robbery section. In 1970, House was promoted to senior clerk and transferred to the police chief’s office. She performed her duties so well that in 1979, she received the civilian award for outstanding service.
“I liked my job. It was an education for me,” she said. “When I was working for the hold-up bureau, they used to bring their prisoners in the office area. We could hear them talking to their prisoners, but we were never involved in anything.”
When she retired, House kept it a secret.
“I just left one day,” she said. “I didn’t even tell them I wasn’t coming back.”
In her leisure time, House could be found at the local bowling alley.
“I loved to bowl,” House said. “I bowled about four nights a week.”
When she was 25 years old, House met professional bowler Andy Varipapa right after she bowled her highest ever three games: 160, 171 and 212 for a total of 543. A photo of Varipapa giving her his autograph appeared in a local newspaper. The photo caption states he gave her tips about how to improve her game. “Let the ball swing freely,” he told her. “Don’t try to check it on the back swing.”
There were plenty of Palazzolo family picnics over the years, and summers were set aside to go to a dude ranch with friends.
“It was fun,” House said. “My sister Carol was funnier than all of them because she was terrified of horses, and we made her get on a horse.”
House was briefly married and has a stepdaughter named Pam. The two still kept in touch.
“She’s the sweetest girl you’ve ever met in your whole life, and she loves me,” House said. “She calls me at least once to twice a week. She’s a beautiful child.”
House still keeps in contact with other family members. Her niece, Nina Pilarski, will be at the birthday celebration Dec. 13. The two have always been close.
“She was an aunt that would do anything for any of us. Very willing and giving,” Pilarski said. “Very independent. She always helped me out. She used to take me to different places when I was little.”
House stays active. She begins each day reciting the Rosary, and every Sunday she watches Mass online on the St. Malachy website, a Catholic church based in Sterling Heights. House plays bingo regularly and also is an avid reader, especially when it comes to authors Danielle Steel, Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts.
American House Park Place Life Enrichment Director Nina Ochoa and Katelyn Clark, the business office manager, have gotten to know House in recent years. Clark, who described her as “feisty,” and Ochoa appreciate the help she provides working in The Corner Store at American House.
“She runs our resident store here. She runs it so well,” Ochoa said. “She keeps track of everything and is very organized. She’s in charge and you know it. She’s sharp as a tack.”
“She keeps track of all the money and adds up all our sales at the end of the day,” Clark said.
Those who know House best are looking forward to her birthday Dec. 13.
“She’s so original,” Ochoa said. “You’ve never met someone like Rosalie.”