Rose Marie Urban died peacefully in her sister's home, surrounded by family, on Friday, April 12, 2013.

A Celebration of Rose's Life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2nd Street S.E., Cedar Rapids, where friends may visit with her family after 2:00 P.M.

Rose was born September 24, 1949 in Cedar Rapids. She attended Saint Ludmila's Elementary School and LaSalle High School where she graduated in 1967.

She moved to Chicago after graduation, where she continued to reside for approximately 28 years. Rose graduated with a degree in journalism in 1971 from Mundelein College in Chicago. She later decided to return to law school at Loyola University and graduated in 1985. She practiced law until social concerns prompted her to return to school again, where she obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work.

Rose moved to North Carolina for a couple of years to work as a clinical social worker. She was certified with the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board and Substance Abuse Professional Practices Board.

Rose relocated to Washington D.C. in 1997. She was employed as the Vice President of CDM Group, Inc., a position that allowed her to utilize her multiple degrees in journalism, law and social work.

She was committed to her spiritual growth. Rose's love of family, animals and the outdoors remained constant themes throughout her life. Rose was blessed during her life with many wonderful friends, as was evidenced by the outpouring of support and love during her struggle with cancer.

Rose is survived by Joy Light, her beloved bichon. Also surviving are her brother, Ron McKiernan and his wife Lisa Hamilton of Sherrill, Iowa; her sister, Sue Novak and her husband Jon Novak of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her sister, Jean McKiernan-Struve and her husband Ron McKiernan-Struve of Pella, Iowa; and her sister, Jane Trobaugh of Cedar Rapids. Surviving nieces and nephews include: Jeremy McKiernan and his son, Jaden, of Madison, Wisconsin; Joshua McKiernan of Madison, Wisconsin; Jeb Novak, his wife Amy and their two sons, Aidan and Triston of Lisbon, Iowa; Ethan Novak of Iowa City, Iowa; Emma Kirk and her husband Tim of Manning, Iowa; Adam McKiernan-Struve of Clarinda, Iowa and Conner and Shyla Shanklin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rose was preceded in death by her father, Lester McKiernan, her mother, Lucille McKiernan and her nephew, Jared McKiernan.

The family requests that memorials to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or to Sufism Reoriented be made in lieu of flowers.