Rose Madeline Battu Scorsatto

Rose was born on October 1, 1921, in Grey Creek, Colorado, to Angelo Jim and Domenica Sibiglia Battu. Grey Creek, a small mining town, is about 125 miles south of Colorado Springs. The youngest of six children by more than six years, Rose was welcomed into the world weighing less than two pounds!

The next year, the Battu Family, complete with Rose Madeline acting as caboose, found themselves traveling west to the Golden State where they made their home in Downtown Los Angeles. They moved into a house on Sichel Street, which was part of the Little Italy enclave established in the early 1900s. Her parents, both immigrants from Northern Italy, found work near their new home. Her dad worked for Franciscan Pottery and her mother was a seamstress in a factory downtown. Rose recalled stories of her mother volunteering their garage to serve as a polling location in several elections. Her mother taught her the importance of voting, and Rose would go on to vote in each election, including the 2020 Presidential Election.

In 1939, Rose graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, California. While attending ALHS, Rose lettered in volleyball, as well as basketball, which was very progressive for that period. She enjoyed school and cherished the friendships she made there.

Later that year, Rose met the love of her life, Primo Frank Scorsatto. Rose met Primo at Guasti Church, in Ontario, California while attending the wedding of one of her cousins. Her uncle, Valentine Battu, invited Primo to the wedding specifically to meet Rose. As Rose and Primo dated, Primo would travel to Los Angeles on the weekends to see Rose. Rose also visited the Inland Empire, spending time with Primo at the Cucamonga Vineyard Company, where he was working to become a Champagne Master.

Rose and Primo were married in Los Angeles, California, on November 9, 1941. Pearl Harbor was bombed exactly one month later. Primo joined the Air Force and traveled to Europe on the Queen Mary II to fight on behalf of the United States of America. Primo was on active duty for three years. Rose returned to her childhood home on Sichel Street to live with her mother while Primo was deployed. During this time, Rose oversaw the procurement of supplies at General Hospital in Los Angeles. Primo was stationed state-side during much of the war years; when possible, Rose would travel to be with him at different posts.

After the war, Rose and Primo settled in Ontario, California and started a family. They welcomed three children, Allen Frank, Gerald James, and Janice Lucille. Tragically, Janice passed away in 1969. Janice’s death left Rose with life-altering grief and she entered her darkest days. Beginning in 1973, Rose was blessed with three magnificent granddaughters. Rose adored her granddaughters, and it was then that she started to heal from the devastating loss of Janice. Julie, Kimberly, and Ashley became the center of Rose’s universe.

Rose and Primo moved to Upland, California near the end of 1978. It was in the Clark house that Rose became thoroughly involved in all facets of her granddaughters’ lives. She hosted sleepovers, helped build forts, tried to teach the girls to cook, took infinite trips to the local Pic ‘n Save, and was present at award ceremonies, dance recitals, graduations, weddings, and baby showers. She was always up for a good prank, adventure, or card game. She taught her granddaughters the Scorsatto Rules that she employed during most games. She sewed and crocheted treasures for her family and even made Santa Claus dolls whose pockets she would fill with prizes at Christmas. She filled her granddaughters’ childhoods with love and magic. She made the role of a grandmother her own with every fiber of her being.

Rose continued to work with Primo at the winery until they retired in 1981. While a resident of Upland, California, she was an active participant in her community at large. A member of St. Anthony’s parish, Rose was involved with numerous fundraising projects for the church. She served as president’s aide for the San Bernardino Women’s Club prior to the founding of the Upland Woman’s Club. She became a proud member of the Upland Woman’s Club in 1987 and would continue her involvement for the next thirty years. While engaged with the Upland Women’s Club, Rose would chair the Rummage Sale Jewelry Table, the Lunch and Tea Committee, the Round Robin Bridge Group, and co-chair the Bingo Committee. Rose was also a member of the Upland Travelers, for whom she served as treasurer. She loved the trips she took with the Travelers and always returned with belly laugh inducing stories. There was always some kind of drama that she and her friends experienced, or perhaps “created,” while adventuring. While Rose’s family was always important to her, the friends she made throughout her life were just as dear.

In the early 90s, Rose welcomed two more grandchildren into her life. Cory and Brett Cisneros joined the Scorsatto girls in the sacred ranks of Rose’s grandkids and brought a new level of fun to family gatherings. They fit right into the beautiful chaos that was Rose’s relationship with her grandchildren.

Rose was promoted to great-grandmother in 2002. By 2018, she had seven great-grandchildren who gave her joy and delight for the rest of her life. She doted on the new generation and they added new purpose to her life. It is believed that the children motivated Rose to live into her hundredth year.

At the behest and cajoling of her family, Rose moved to Sunrise Assisted Living in Rancho Cucamonga, California in September 2017. While she initially was less than enthusiastic to give up her proverbial freedom and go live with the “old” people, Rose soon learned that moving to Sunrise would bring all life had to offer directly to her. She made new friends, participated in many of the activities, including bingo, poker, arts, and crafts. She added to the list of activities when she formed a canasta club. She enjoyed field trips with her new besties to local restaurants, movies, and other events. She captured the hearts of the staff and caregivers, forming bonds what while short, were at the center of her happiness. Her new life at Sunrise quickly filled up with so much fun, some days it was impossible to reach her by telephone.

The pandemic required Sunrise to lockdown in such a manner that her family and friends had to modify the way they interacted with Rose. Phone calls were safe; Rose enjoyed talking with everyone and appreciated the calls. The days of dropping by to visit Rose were thrust into moratorium and would remain as such for almost ten weeks. Eventually, weekly visits could be conducted through the safety of windows, and occasionally visitors were lucky enough to have an in-person, distanced visit. Celebrating Rose’s 99th birthday under the ever-evolving lockdown guidelines was tough, but her family managed to pull off an epic birthday car parade that brought relatives and friends from across the land. Rose enjoyed herself and looking back, it was fortuitous that so many soiree attendees bent the safety guidelines and hugged and kissed Rose. No one knew that for many, it would be the last time they would be in Rose’s presence.

Rose was a force unlike any other. Her love for her family and friends, coupled with her generous, feisty, and mischievous character made her the life of any party. Her positive energy was so intense that her passing created a palpable void for all who knew her. May the over ninety-nine years of memories provide solace for all.

Rose was preceded in death by her daughter, Janice Lucille Scorsatto, and her husband of more than fifty years, Primo Frank Scorsatto.

Rose is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law. Allen F. Scorsatto and Molly S. Scorsatto, and Gerald J. Scorsatto and Susan D. Scorsatto.

Rose is also survived by her five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and their families. Julie Scorsatto Weyers and Joseph D. Weyers; Kimberly Scorsatto Sink, James E. Sink, Sophia Anne Sink, and Dominic James Sink; Ashley Lynn Scorsatto; Cory E. Cisneros, Jennifer O. Cisneros, Bailey L. Cisneros, Parker J. Cisneros, Wyatt P. Cisneros, and Kinsley Rose Cisneros; Brett V. Cisneros and Austin J. Cisneros.

The Rosary and Viewing will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Draper Mortuary in Ontario, California. Mass will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Upland, California, immediately followed by interment at Bellevue Cemetery, Ontario, California.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to the either of the following organizations:

San Antonio Hospital Foundation (SAHF), [https://secured.sarh.org/default.aspx#step-one], and select the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit under Gift/Donation Information, or by mailing a donation to San Antonio Hospital, 999 San Bernardino Road, Upland, CA 91786. All donations should include In Memory of The Scorsatto Family.

Or:

City of Hope by mailing a donation to Cheryl Kennick, Senior Director – Corporate Philanthropy, City of Hope – Food Industries Circle – Rivergrade Office, 1500 East Duarte Road, CA 91010. All donations should include In Memory of The Scorsatto Family.