Rosa Garafalo Monarca

Rosa (Garofalo) Monarca, age 88, widow of Carmelo Monarca, of New Britain passed away on Aug. 9 after a long illness. Rosa was born Jan. 4, 1928, in Melilli, Italy, before settling in New Britain, Conn., in 1956. Mrs. Monarca was employed as an Inspector for Stanley Works for several years. She was a member of St. Joseph Church and St. Ann Church in New Britain.

Rosa enjoyed family life and spending most of her time cooking, and entertaining her friends and relatives from Middletown. She will be most remembered for her kindness, sweet smile and being … selfless. Rosa was a great cook, loved to talk on the phone or in person. Everyone who came in contact with her fell in love with her. She loved glitz, and loved to dress up. Family was very important as well as her friends.

Rosa is survived by and will be dearly missed by two sons, Concetto Jack Monarca of Florida and Joseph Monarca of Berlin, Conn.; three brothers, Sebastian Garofalo, Gino Garofalo, Rosario Garofalo and her sister, Carmela Ballachino, and her granddaughter, Lindsay Monarca; along with many nieces and nephews, and dear friends and Mary Anna who brought her joy by her many visits while she was at home and Ledgecrest. A Special thank you to the staff at Ledgecrest, especially Rose who joked with her and who had a heart of gold.

Friends and relatives may call for a visitation service Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 101 North St., New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. For tributes, online condolences or directions, please visit www.newbritain-sagarino.com