Rose Marie A. Russo

If there was ever a person who wanted to heal all the wrongs in the world, it was Rosemarie A. Russo. She was an idealist who sought to bring harmony to those around her. Even though Rosemarie was enthusiastic and generous, it was sometimes difficult for her to boast about her accomplishments. Rosemarie had strong personal convictions, making it hard for her to relinquish those ideals she held dearest to herself. Despite her outer strengths and beliefs, Rosemarie sometimes struggled in her efforts to see the world as completely positive. Rosemarie's life motto was always to hope for the best and work hard towards that end, but be prepared for some of life's disappointments. This philosophy was a continual driving force in her life, but it did not extinguish the bright light that defined the dreamer in Rosemarie, something that was always there and that she readily shared with everyone around her.

Rosemarie was born on March 31, 1930 at Glenmore Avenue (Mon and Dad both born in the same house, same bedroom five years apart) in East New York, Brooklyn. Her parents were Joseph & Sallie. Rosemarie was raised in Brooklyn, then Long Island. As a youngster, Rosemarie demonstrated an excellent vocabulary and command of language. She was a compassionate person, a quality that she would carry with her throughout her life. Even at a young age, Rosemarie was sensitive to her parents’ moods and worked hard to please them and live up to their expectations.

Throughout her life, Rosemarie showed a remarkable ability to mend relationships. This was true even with her siblings. Rosemarie was caring, diplomatic and tolerant of the feelings of those around her. Rosemarie was raised with 3 sisters. She had an older sister, the late Lillian, Frances & Dolores - both younger. Rosemarie was constantly involved in activities with her brothers and sisters. Rosemarie and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

As a young girl, Rosemarie lived a childhood filled with fantasy. She was generally in pursuit of her own identity, but she was also adaptable to almost any situation she faced. Rosemarie took part in none- but loved to ice state and swim. She was a participated in her early years as an active member of church, Lesion of Mary. In her spare time she loved history, great reader, loved to read, love history, was interested in politics. Rosemarie's memorable achievements included giving herself completely to her family and friends. However, to Rosemarie, the most fun to be had was simply playing, and spending time with her many friends.

High school was a time for Rosemarie to seek out knowledge. She enjoyed learning and had a natural interest in gathering information. Rosemarie had a flair for the poetic and was very expressive and articulate, especially when it came to her writing. Rosemarie took her education seriously. She graduated from Girtls High, Brooklyn, New York in 1948. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was history.

While those who did not know her well found Rosemarie to be somewhat reserved until they got to know her, she was an authentic and devoted friend. Rosemarie was a tranquil person, with an easygoing and open-minded attitude towards life. She presented a pleasant face to the outside world but concealed the pain and discomfort she felt over her own friends’ difficulties. Rosemarie sought to achieve harmony with everyone and possessed the ability to mend conflicts and avoid interpersonal struggles. While growing up, some of her best friends were Josie & Vinny Pappalando, Paula & Joe Tuzzolo. Later in life, she became friends with Angie & Steve.

The desire for romance was always present in Rosemarie's life. She succeeded in finding it on April 29, 1950, when Rosemarie exchanged wedding vows with Guliano at St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church of Brooklyn, New York. Rosemarie cared passionately for Michael. Her deep loyalty and a strong commitment to her vows brought a sense of completeness to their marriage.

Rosemarie was a gentle person who held deep feelings for her children. She enjoyed having fun with her kids and was at times fiercely protective of them. Rosemarie showed great empathy in her willingness to give every family member a voice in family decisions. She was blessed with 2, Charlie and Rosemarie, daugther-in-law, Lenore. They were also blessed with 2, Michael and Lauren.

Blessed with a strong sense of integrity, Rosemarie was as loyal and committed in her work as she was in the rest of her life. Rosemarie worked well with fellow employees and showed great cooperation in reaching common goals. Though she had a tendency to take on too many tasks, herself; Rosemarie showed great patience with complicated situations. She was ingenious and trusted her intuition. For Rosemarie, the application of logic could be optional, and while that sometimes bothered her co-workers, Rosemarie always seemed to be able to get the job done. She was most comfortable working on the projects and jobs that she strongly supported. Her primary occupation was a propery manager. She was employed for 20 years. Rosemarie always tried to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Rosemarie enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were reading, cooking especially enjoyed cooking shows. Rosemarie was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but she was also willing to share her interests with others.

Rosemarie's tremendous enthusiasm for the activities she enjoyed also influenced the pleasure she drew from sports. Rosemarie also enjoyed watching sports and liked following her favorite teams whenever she got the chance to do so. Tops on her list were watching her daugther playing soft ball and she would with stand the hot heat in Florida watching her play.

With a calling to help others and a fierce conviction for the causes in which she believed, Rosemarie would work hard for her values and principles. Rosemarie was a loyal member of several community groups, serving on committees for the Democratic Party. Politically, Rosemarie was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party.

Rosemarie took all of her personal and moral obligations seriously. Rosemarie was a strong defender of her faith. She was a member at St. Rita's, Brooklyn, for 30 years. During that time, she was active in the Drama Society.

Rosemarie enjoyed traveling and going away on vacations. Taking trips provided the chance for her to kick back and relax, to visit new places and see new things. Favorite vacations included upstate New York-spending summers at Glenbreck Farms, New York with her family.

Though Rosemarie always appeared to be dreaming of greener pastures, she was accepting of retirement when it finally came in 2009. Long-range planning skills served her well in preparing for the “golden years.” Her new life involved relocating to retired from Florida to New York, 1992. Even in retirement, Rosemarie continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities that retirement offered her.

Rosemarie passed away on January 20, 2012 at Stony Brook University Hospital. Fatal fall, trauma to her head. She is survived by her husband Michael, son Charles, and daugther Rose Marie, Daugther in law Lenore, grandchilren, Michael & Lauren, sisters Frances, Dolores and many loving nieces and nephews.

Rosemarie A. Russo was someone who was able to see the world as a good and honorable place. She viewed the people who inhabited it as essentially good. A person who tended to see the world in terms of black and white, Rosemarie tried to focus on the good she saw, knowing that there were times she would have to compromise. She was selfless and deeply committed to all things positive and good. Rosemarie was a person who would keep her eye on tomorrow and constantly held onto her dreams. She was capable of being mystical at times, and she could be the seer or shaman of a group. It was this exceptional insight and quiet reserve that that became Rosemarie's trademark qualities for all who knew her, and it was one of the many reasons why all who knew her loved Rosemarie A. Russo.