Rose Marie Pisani

On Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, our beloved songbird Rose Marie Pisani passed away at the age of 88. Born on July 2nd, 1936, in Passaic, NJ, she was the cherished daughter of Josephine and Joseph LoRe and the sister of Peter LoRe.

If only this obituary could contain recordings and videos, you would instantly recognize that Rose Marie was a bright star from a young age. A gifted pianist and singer, at just 10 years old, she performed recitals in multiple languages, inspiring audiences in New York City and even appearing on television to win Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour. Her voice brought comfort and joy to everyone fortunate enough to hear her.

Music and art remained central throughout her life. As the founder and longtime director of the Lake Ridge Chorus in Toms River, NJ, she dedicated countless hours to arranging, coaching, and sharing her love of music with others. In addition to her musical talents, Rose Marie was an accomplished nurse. After graduating as a Registered Nurse from St. Joe’s Nursing School, she served patients at St. Joseph Hospital in Paterson, NJ, and Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.

It was in nursing school that she met her husband, Fred Pisani. As she would tell it, her eyes met the eyes of a handsome sailor across the bar, and the rest was history. Fred and Ro were inseparable, like the peanut butter and chocolate in her favorite treat, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Married for 66 years, Fred and Rose Marie built a life full of love and family, bringing four children into the world in four years and filling their home with warmth, music, and incomparable Christmas Eve parties.

Despite facing health challenges throughout much of her adult life, Rose Marie remained resilient and active, continuing to bowl, play tennis, play piano, and share her musical gifts with others. Her determination and spirit were evident to all who knew her—whether she was playing piano for the residents of the United Methodist Communities at The Shores or winning family games of Bingo on Christmas. A fierce competitor in every sense of the word, she is now forever undefeated in Yahtzee.

Above all, Rose Marie treasured her family. She provided her children with guidance, support, and unconditional love and instilled in them the importance and value of family so they could one day share that with their own children. And boy, did they ever. She is survived by her devoted husband, Fred, her children Freddie J Pisani (Pam), Valerie Fernandez (Bob Welsh), Lori Birdsall (Keith), and Mark Pisani (Marybeth), her grandchildren, Courtney Arifin (Mark), Keith Fernandez (Alyse), Megan Appel (Carl), Connor Loyas (Samari), and Trevor and Michael Pisani, and her great-grandchildren, Andie and CJ Appel and Scarlett Fernandez – who all know she is now showering her late grandson, Greg Fernandez, with love in heaven.

One last memory, if you’ll indulge me. When her children were young, Rose Marie would sometimes sit at the piano at bedtime and play classical music as they drifted off to sleep. Even now, we can almost hear those soft, soothing notes drifting down from the sky, a reminder of the love and joy she brought into our lives.

A visitation for Rose Marie will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Luke Roman Catholic Church, 1674 Old Freehold Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rose Marie's memory may be made to National Scleroderma Foundation, https://scleroderma.org/ways-to-give/.