Rose Marie Salerno Morton

Rose Marie Salerno Morton died peacefully, surrounded by love at Jupiter Medical Center on March 28. She was 102 years old. Born in Chicago, Illinois on May 6, 1923 to Eugene E. Salerno and Geraldine G. Salerno. A graduate of St. Scholastica High School and Northwestern University, she was an accomplished athlete and enjoyed swimming, playing tennis and horseback riding.

Upon graduation from Northwestern University and marriage to her beloved Delos G. Morton, Rose Marie became an elementary school teacher, devoted to her students and their education.

When her husband’s position in a large international corporation relocated them to Mexico City, Bogota, Colombia and finally to Caracas, Venezuela, their world travel began. Those travels included a day in formal wear at the English Derby, an audience with the Pope in Rome, and extreme white-water rafting in Colorado.

In Caracas, Rose Marie was a member of the American Association of University Women-Venezuela. The group had a kindergarten program for children of impoverished families living in barrios, the common name for slums in Caracas. Rose Marie became the president of the Association and organized fund-raising activities which made possible the overhaul of the program and facility. By the time she left Venezuela, children in the program were completing 6th grade. For this and other work she did, the Venezuelan government gave her honorary recognition for outstanding contributions to the welfare and betterment of the country.

Upon his retirement, Del and Rose Marie took up residence in North Palm Beach. While continuing their adventures traveling, they also golfed at BallenIsles Country Club and were active members in the Society of the Four Arts.

Rose Marie was an active supporter of rescued victims of human trafficking and of the homeless.

She loved the condo home she and her husband created, reading, prime rib, cashmere sweaters, a good bridge game, challenging conversations with friends and most anyone else. She will be remembered for her positive, for-every-problem-there-is-a-solution attitude, for her unfailing willingness to help find that solution, and for her faith in God. As long as her health allowed, she was a Communicant at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.

Rose Marie was predeceased by her beloved husband, her parents, her sisters Caroline S. Dahl, Jean S. Falk, and her brothers Eugene J. Salerno and Edward A. Salerno. She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

She pre-arranged her funeral service to be held in Chicago, and her interment, there, beside her husband at All Saints Cemetery. She will be forever remembered and forever missed.