Vigil services for Rose Alma (Milani) Schuyler, 93, of Lompoc, will be 5 p.m. today, at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery with Msgr. John Fitzgerald of Queen of Angels Catholic Church officiating.

Rose was born January 27, 1914, at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos, California, to Luigi and Martina (Busi) Milani. In her early years, Rose helped her father and family on the family dairy farm. In addition to these chores, she also worked for the W. Atlee Burpee Seed Farm. Rose was noted for her extensive work in the area of seed pollination and hybridizing of Petunias, Marigolds, Sweet Peas as well as other varieties. "Rosie" was known affectionately throughout the Lompoc Valley as "Rosie-The Flower Girl". Her work was featured in many publications, including the National Geographic Magazine (July, 1947); The Baltimore and Ohio Magazine; The Catholic Digest; and The Oregonian to name just a few. She attended Lompoc Schools, including the Artesia School, and was with the Lompoc High School Class of 1932.

She married Emmett Leroy Schuyler in 1940 and lived on North "D" Street before eventually taking up residence at the Schuyler Cherry Orchard (1876-1963) on North "A" Street. Throughout all of her various employments, she was always there to help Emmett and his father, L.H. Schuyler manage the famed Schuyler Cherry Orchard. In her later years after the children were established in schooling, Rose began working for the Lompoc Unified School District as a cook. When the new Central Kitchen for the district opened, she was an honored guest. After five years at the school kitchens, she began her last job in March, 1964, where she worked for the Lompoc Hospital District as a cook and dietician at both the Lompoc Hospital and later, the Convalescent Care Center. Her Lemon pie was legendary! Rose continued in this job until her retirement at the end of 1976.

Rose was a 50+ year member of both the Lompoc Grange #646 and the Lompoc Rebekkah Lodge; the Lompoc Historical Society; and for over 60 years a member of the "Mr. and Mrs. Club", a group of local friends who met each month to either socialize, go camping and take short trips around the state. This group still exists today, albeit most of the original members have passed on. It held a special place with Rose and Emmett Schuyler. Rose was an avid gardener who especially liked working in her yard with her flowers, day and night. She enjoyed music, knitting and crocheting,

She died Saturday, February 24, 2007 in Lompoc. She had just recently celebrated her 93rd birthday with her immediate family on January 27th . Survivors (and spouses) include her sons, Duane (Bette Jo) Schuyler, Les Schuyler, and Richard Schuyler, all of Lompoc; three granddaughters, Erin Kolpak, Stacy Villalobos and Shelly Jobst; four great-grandchildren, Nicolette Kolpak, Andrew Villalobos, Miranda Villalobos, and Austin Jobst and numerous nieces and nephews and last but not least her dog, Snoopy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett in 1978; a beloved sister, Mary Dalcerri in 1953; a beloved brother, Bastista Milani in 1995, her mother Martina (Busi) Milani in1943, and father Louis "Luigi" Carl Milani in 1957.

Visitation hours will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 636, Santa Barbara, 93102, the Lompoc Historical Society, P.O. Box 88, Lompoc 93438, or a charity of choice.