C. Bennett Rose, retired executive secretary of the Central Maryland Multiple Listing Service, died of cancer April 15 at the Shrewsbury (Pa.) Lutheran Home. He was 78.

A memorial service for Mr. Rose will be held at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Fairview United Methodist Church, 13916 Jarrettsville Pike, Phoenix.

He had lived in Monkton for 25 years.

He retired in 1982 after 12 years as executive secretary of the real estate service. During that time, he reorganized and expanded the service.

A native of Govans and a 1931 graduate of the McDonogh School, he studied accounting at Johns Hopkins University.

He was a member of the Maryland Society of Association Executives and a charter member of the Rotary Club of Timonium.

He is survived by his wife, the former Elsie Cook; two daughters, Ann "Lari" Houston of Baltimore and Alison Gillette of Warrenton, Va.; a son, Charles B. Rose Jr. of Jupiter, Fla.; a brother, Wallace H. Rose of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Edwina Kemp of Baltimore; and two grandchildren.

The family suggested memorial contributions to the McDonogh School Scholarship Fund.