Rose Radogna Gaia, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away peacefully in her home on September 6th 2021. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Anthony Radogna and Domenica Lobianco, Rose was born on October 11, 1931 in Memphis, the youngest of six children. She was a graduate of St. Agnes Academy, and often expressed gratitude to the school’s Dominican Sisters for influencing her life. In July of 1954, Rose met the love of her life, Charlie Gaia. They were married for 36 years and raised a family of three boys and three girls.
Blessed with unfailing optimism, a ready smile, and a gift for putting others at ease, Rose attended mass at St. Louis Catholic Church, was a member of the parish for six decades, and sent all six of her children to St. Louis School. A lifelong member of Pleasant Acres Garden Club, Rose loved her neighborhood, and particularly her neighbors Rena, Inga and Ida, often referring to them as her “best buds.” Desiring to be of service, Rose later in life went to work in the psychology department at the University of Memphis, and in 1999 was honored with the Outstanding Employee Award. Retiring after 21 years, Rose often called her time at the university the best job she ever had.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her oldest son Chuck; three sisters, Celeste Lenti, Jennie Radogna, Mary Cianciolo; and two brothers, Michael Radogna and Joe Radogna. She is survived by three daughters and two sons, Renee Stern (Joel) of Wayne, Pennsylvania, Mary Adams (Bob), Emily Smith (Major), Marty Gaia (Angela) all of Memphis, and Gary Gaia (Christy) of Missouri City, Texas; nine grandchildren, Tripp Durham, Meredith Durham, Will Stern, Allison Tibbits, Caroline DeMoss, Robert Adams, Vince Gaia, Charlie Smith, Brenner Smith; and one great grandchild, Cameron Durham.
There will be a visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, followed by the rosary at 7 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 15 at St. Louis Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Agnes Academy, University of Memphis, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Gaia family.
