Maria Rosa Jove

Maria Rosa Jove was born in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain on January 7, 1928, to Ramon Calmet and Consuelo Selva. Her father was a prominent tailor and the family lived on Calle Rambla Catalunya near Plaza de Catalunya. On her 18th birthday she invited Ricardo Jove to her birthday party where he fell in love with her from that day forward. Maria Rosa and Ricardo were married in Barcelona on August, 1951, following his studies at the University of Barcelona for a doctorate in economics. Ricardo continued to pursue his dream to work in international trade and in 1960 they moved to their new home in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. Here they lovingly raised 5 devoted children: Rose Marie, Richard, Elizabeth, Martha and John Charles. Maria Rosa was also very active in the community as a volunteer at St. Aloysius Catholic Church and involved in other local organizations, including the Great Neck Women’s Club, where she had many close friends. Occasionally, she joined Ricardo on his business trips around the world, including Europe, Asia and South America.

After the children were grown up and finished college, Maria Rosa and Ricardo started a new phase of their life together and moved to Manhattan to enjoy the arts and social activities. They frequented the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic, belonged to the Metropolitan and Cosmopolitan Clubs, and participated in the Cervantes Institute and the US-Spain Chamber of Commerce. Some of the highlights of their later life included a visit to the Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and the Vatican in Rome where they met Pope Benedict. Maria Rosa was devoted to the Blessed Mother and had a strong Catholic faith. She loved to attend daily Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Manhattan where she had many beloved friends. They also returned to Barcelona regularly to visit their loved families and friends, with whom they remained very close after moving away. Maria Rosa never forgot her roots and remained dedicated to her beloved family in Barcelona while growing the family tree in the United States.

Maria Rosa passed away in Manhattan on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the age of 97. She was predeceased by her husband, Ricardo, to whom she remained devoted and was married to for nearly 70 years. In addition to their five children, she is survived by ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. One of her greatest joys was visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren during her final years after the passing of her husband, when her eldest daughter Rose Marie came to live with her. Maria Rosa will always be remembered for her devotion to family, faith and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to her favorite charities in her memory: Catholic Charities or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A visitation for Maria Rosa will be held Monday, May 19, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Frank E. Campbell, The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10028. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 348 East 55 Street, New York, New York 10022.