In article , Sue
wrote:

Hello the group,

back with a question (remember, I'm one with no experience but 15-20 roses
around the house) ... just curious, (1) if roses are cared for properly,
will they last for decades in a homeyard?

Yes, especially if they are healthy specimens and cultivars.

(2) what is the average lifespan of say a rose bush?

Roses have lived for more than 150 years, maybe longer. But your
average rose's lifespan depends on where it is planted. My mother's
roses all dated from the 60's in Reno.

and lastly, (3) are there folks that DO look for antique
roses and eventually take 'cuttings' (or, sorry to be so ignorant) or
whatever it is that would start a sister rose bush in another location ?

Yes, lots of them. You can read about the well known collectors in
Denver at the Fairmount Cemetery

http://www.geocities.com/john_starnes/fairmount.html

The Sacramento City Cemetery

http://home.inreach.com/verlaine/roses/

and the Texas Rose Rustlers

http://www.texas-rose-rustlers.com/

There are Heritage Rose Groups around the country that are dedicated to
preserving, identifying and spreading those old roses.

I realize once I read up on roses, go to my local rose society meetings
(soon!) I might have the answers, but isn't it always easier to ask via
email than face to face? *g*

Use google to do some rose searches. You'll be amazed at the internet
rose sources, starting with the American Rose Society, all the way to
local Heritage Roses groups like the Gold Coast:
http://www.goldcoastrose.org/