Feb. 2, 2002 – Rose Elaine Connor, longtime St. Thomas resident and owner/operator of Elegance II Salon, has died following a long illness in New Jersey.
"We accentuated each other's efforts," her husband, Clarence, said of his wife and soulmate. "I will never forget her."
As acknowledgement of the couple's many personal relationships forged in the Virgin Islands, Clarence Connor will take part in a memorial gathering at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 11, in Faith Christian Fellowship Church in Estate Anna's Retreat.
As Rose Connor's illness progressed, the couple returned to Summit, N.J., so that she could be with her family and childhood friends. Her husband, a Philadelphia native and Virgin Islands resident since 1968, said he developed a new appreciation for St. Thomas as Virgin Islanders extended themselves in prayer and service.
An accomplished hair stylist, Rose Connor opened New Elegance on Garden Street in 1984, then moved the establishment to Mandela Circle as Elegance II in 1989. Elegance II's final home was in Tutu Park Mall, beginning in 1992. Elegance II has closed its doors, but daughter Kellie Monique Charles now operates her own salon in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Through the years, the Connors' clientele found positive energy and warmth at the salons; local community groups felt comfortable approaching the couple for support.
While the external aspects of beauty were tended to, it was clear that inner beauty was even more important to Rose and Clarence Connor. The V.I. Carnival Committee maintained a 10-year association with the Connors and their salon that helped enhance the beauty of notable Carnival Queen contestants including eventual Jaycees Caribbean Queen winners Akima Howard and Allison Moolenaar. The salon also created the look which Nicole Aponte sported in a popular Paul Mitchell advertisement.
Rose Connor was an honoree at last October's fund-raising ball on behalf of the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Center hosted by Partners for Health at Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
"She passed away peacefully, in my arms; there was no drama, no noise; Rose wanted it that way," Clarence said.
Among the many people contributing to an immense support system, he cited especially Dr. Alfred Heath; Rose's sister Alice Hart and Alice's daughter (Rose's niece) Kim Ellis; friends Lorraine Baa, Sadie Moolenaar and Blanche Bello; sister-in-law Nikki Grant; daughter Kellie Monique Charles; and Rose's best friend since the age of 5, Cassandra "Sandy" Malanga.
Clarence Connor added that many others stepped in to fill the various voids that presented themselves once the couple had made their decision to take Rose back to her New Jersey hometown. "Rose was just a lovable woman," he said. "On the day of the funeral (Jan. 19, 2002), it was standing-room only."
Also cherishing Rose's memory are son-in-law Donald Charles; stepdaughter Zelda Darling and husband Ronnie Aikens; stepsons Robert, Reynaldo and Clarence Michael; brother James W. Grant Jr.; sister Josephine Fox; sisters-in-law Mamie Renee Grant and Marlene Nicole Grant; 10 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, godchildren, other family members and friends.
Monday's memorial service is being arranged by a circle of friends and loved ones led by Sadie Moolenaar and Blanche Bello. For further information, call 777-3312.
