Rosemarie Wilkes

She was born June 19, 1937 in Midland, PA, and was the daughter of the late Joseph Jasper and Helen Marie (Domsic) Cupani.

She graduated from Beaver High School, PA (1957), and earned a B.S. teaching certificate from Lock Haven College, PA, and an MEd. in Guidance from West Chester University, PA. She taught for 6 years in West Chester, PA, and was an elementary school guidance counselor for 25 years in Chester County, PA.. Throughout her life, Rosemarie enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, cooking, interior decorating, bridge, and especially entertaining. She had a dynamic and vivacious personality.

From her first marriage to the late Edward Longley, she had a son, Edward Garth Longley (Mary Lynn, div.) who died in 2017 in PA.

In 1983 she married the late Joseph J. Wilkes and they lived in Springfield, PA, and Saint Michael's, MD, until they moved to Nokomis, FL in 2000, where they enjoyed many years in Calusa Lakes. In 2012 they moved to The Glenridge in Sarasota, FL.

Rosemarie is survived by her two grandsons, Eli Longley (Kelsey) of Windermere, FL, and Jacob Longley (Sabrina) of Jacksonville, NC, and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sister Joanne Sekerak (Harold) of Allison Park, PA., and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sister Barbara DiAngelis (Nick) of Media, PA, and brother Angelo Cupani (Carolyn) of Beaver, PA.

Her survivors also include her stepchildren: Christine Rowntree (Robert, dec.), Amy Simpson (Thomas), Joseph (Beverly), Thomas (Emelie), and Peter (Grace), all from the Philadelphia area. There are also 12 step-grandchildren, 12 step-great-grandchildren, and two brothers-in-law: George Wilkes of Lecanto, FL, and Paul Wilkes (Carol) of Ocala, FL, and many step-nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service for Rosemarie will be held Friday, March 8, at 10:00 AM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave., Sarasota, FL 34232. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 11:00 AM at Palms Memorial Park.