Rosaria Calabrese Sears

Rose was born to the late Andrea and Angelina Calabrese of Sicily, Italy on May 14, 1941 in Annapolis, MD. Her Italian family grew up together on the first block of West Street, where her father owned Capital Barber Shop. She attended Saint Mary’s Elementary and Saint Mary’s High Schools graduating in 1960. After graduating, she worked at Monumental Insurance, and later at Saint Mary’s Elementary School.

Rose was a faithful member of Saint Mary’s Church and attended weekly mass. She also began each day watching the livestream of Saint Mary’s daily morning mass. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and helped, as a wife, with numerous Knights of Columbus carnivals and activities. Her devotion to her Faith and the Blessed Mother was evident by having 11 Godchildren.

On October 1, 1961 Rose married Raymond Lee Sears of Arnold, Md. She was an ardent fan of Elvis and his striking resemblance to the young Elvis had her head over heels in love! In 1966, Raymond Paul was born, followed 1 year later by Robert, and then Richard in 1974. The family lived in Admiral Heights in Annapolis and were active in the local community and were a life-long sponsor family for numerous USNA Midshipmen.

Rose loved collecting all things Elvis. Even at the time of her passing, the family was playing Elvis music at her bedside in the ICU. She had a room full of Elvis memorabilia, and knickknacks. She loved her red lipstick, word search puzzles, playing bingo, writing letters, reading, dining out, and watching television; especially her soap operas. She was an avid Baltimore Orioles fan; rarely missing a game on TV. Rose was never in a picture or out in public without her RED lipstick. Rose was often the organizer for many lunches and dinners with family and friends. She loved the challenge of a good word search puzzle and would work on them daily. She was a regular bingo player every Friday night at the Annapolis Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. She was an avid reader and enjoyed trading books with her friends. She also had a passion for writing letters. These letters were handwritten, mailed with stamps, and all envelopes were numbered. Needless to say, many of her closest friends received multiple letters each day!

Rose proudly served the Saint Mary’s Elementary School for 40 years. She began working as a kindergarten assistant teacher in 1981, later becoming the official school Greeter, a position she loved until she retired in 2021. She welcomed everyone into the school with her warm smile. Rose was known for her desk photos. Everyone who walked by was kept up to date on her family as she proudly displayed the latest family and vacation photos.

Rose was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond Lee, her 2 brothers, John and Angelo Calabrese, and her 2 sisters-in-law, Jackie and Vickie Calabrese. She is survived by her son, Raymond (Karen) of Annapolis, son, Robert of Annapolis, son Richard (Jennifer) of Glen Burnie, four grandchildren: Brooke Sears LaBriola (Michael), Raymond Emory Sears, Penelope Sky Park, Richard Angelo Sears, a brother, Frank Calabrese, her sister-in-law, Anna Calabrese, and her one great- grandchild Madelynn Rose LaBriola recently born in July and named in her honor.

A visitation for Rosaria will be held Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 12 to 3 pm and 5 to 8 pm at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 2:30 pm at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church 620 N. Bestgate Road Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

In Lieu of Flowers memorials in Rosaria's name to Saint Mary Elementary School 109 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or Annapolis Council 1384 Charities Inc. c/o Knights of Columbus 610 N. Bestgate Road Annapolis, Maryland 21401 will be appreciated.