Mrs. Rose Rosie Marie Rose Marie DeCastro Masal

Rose Marie Masal, 75, of Valrico, Florida, passed away July 26, 2010. A native of Corona, New York, Rose Marie also lived in College Point, New York, Alexandria, Virginia, and New Fairfield, Connecticut. Rose Marie is survived by her husband of 53 years, Walter, three children, Elizabeth (Louis) Walter of Brandon, Florida, Marie (James) Rose of Deer Park, New York, and Michael (Michelle) Masal of Portland, Connecticut. Rose Marie is also survived by her brother, William ("Billy") DeCastro, of New York, five grandchildren, Michael, Eric, Breanna, Brandon, and Leah, and niece and nephews, Anthony, Carol, and Joseph. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Joseph and Filomena DeCastro, and her brother, Anthony ("Sonny") DeCastro. Rose worked for many years in magazine circulation before her retirement. She loved to cook, garden and craft, and put her soul into all she created. You could find Rose on the beach at Pass-A-Grille nearly every Saturday bobbing in the waves and soaking up the sun. She loved music, her cats, Christmas, researching her ancestry, and most of all, her beloved husband and family. Everyone who was lucky enough to have Rose in their life knew her as an exceptionally wise, kind and sweet woman who would make everyone feel at home, was always up for a challenge, and just couldn't let anyone leave her home hungry. Rose will be remembered for her faith in all things good and the love she gave without question.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2010, at 10:15 AM, at St. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church, 125 Half Hollow Road, Deer Park, New York, followed by a private Celebration of Life luncheon for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. Arrangements under the direction of Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon, Florida.

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