Rosemarie "Rosie" Valente Vaughan

Rosemarie "Rosie" Valente Vaughan, 92, of Largo, FL, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025. Born on February 16, 1933, in Troy, NY to Rose and Joseph Valente, Rosie lived a life filled with love, devotion, and warmth.

Rosie married the love of her life, Quentin Vaughan, on October 12, 1963. They shared 57 wonderful years together until his passing in 2020. A dedicated homemaker, Rosie lovingly raised their three children and extended her care to countless others who knew her as a second mom.

She was a proud member of the Pinellas County Republicans Club and a devout parishioner of St. Jerome Catholic Church. Rosie had a zest for life that showed in her deep love for family, her cherished “happy hour group” of friends, her Italian cooking, and her beloved soap operas and Hallmark movies.

Rosie is survived by her children, Stephanie Vaughan, Veronica Vaughan, and Tim (Victoria) Vaughan; and her grandchildren Raymond Whiteley, Amanda (Brady) Letney, Christina Whiteley, and Evelyn Vaughan. She was preceded in death by her husband Quentin and her granddaughter Olivia Vaughan.

A funeral mass will be held on June 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Jerome Catholic Church, followed by a reception at Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home.

Rosie’s kindness, strength, and spirited nature will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Memorial Contributions may be made to:

Suncoast Hospice Foundation, https://www.suncoasthospice.orgdonate or a charity of your choice is Rosie's name.

Mama, Grandma, Ma, Sister, Grammy, Saint, Friend, Ro with the Fro, Devout Catholic, Rosie. She was known by a lot of names throughout her life. Rosie walked a quiet Christian life, always performing acts of kindness and goodwill no matter who she encountered, with no expectation of recognition or fanfare. She had a calming nature and loved unconditionally, just like Jesus does. Anyone who knew her could tell you that. Roise was a guiding light to everyone. She was wise, nurturing, and loyal. Her heart was bigger than anyone I have ever known. If you hurt someone she loved, though, watch out. She was sassy for sure.

Nothing quite described Rosemarie Teresa Valente Vaughan quite as well as MOM, though. Many, many people considered her a second mom. She took her vocation from Christ to be a great mom very seriously and put everyone before herself, always. It’s difficult to describe the number of lives she touched in her 92 years. Rosie was the person who hosted ALL the neighborhood kids when we were young; she invited everyone from all walks of life to eat with us at the drop of a dime; there was never a friend or cousin who went hungry or didn’t have a place to lay their head, thanks to my mom.

When you were in her presence, you were seen and heard. Rosie is the person who remembered EVERYONE’s birthday and showed them. She sent gifts to distant relatives consistently; for us, she would send cards to our workplaces on birthdays and holidays, typically with cash included, so we knew we were thought of wherever we were.

Mom tried to stay with us even longer than her 92 years allowed. She loved life and her family. Her body just got tired. She powered through at least 20 times in and out of hospitals and rehabs over the last 2 years, including brain surgery last July. God was always with her, and she knew it. That Rosie bounced back, time and again. I think that might be the hardest thing to wrap our heads around. It just seemed like she would always come back to us. This time, she didn’t. And while we are certain the Angels escorted her to Heaven, her absence here is devastating. Rosie did it her way, though. Her last request was to come home, and she did. She asked to see her children, and she did. She wanted some pasta with red sauce and wine. She got it. And then kicked everyone out of the room, said goodnight, and quietly slipped off to sleep. Rosie. She took her last breath with a smile on her face.

There was nothing mom loved more than her grandchildren. It was evident in everything she did –from the time they were born until her very last breath. She was overjoyed to watch her only grandson, Raymond, fall in love with his fiancé, Catie. When they had the engagement pictures taken and showed them to us, Rosie was so moved you could read it in her face. As for Amanda, thank God for her wedding to Brady, because mom was not only able to attend but had the chance to see Amanda and Brady exchange vows, in addition to being able to spend time with her loving siblings for the last time. Evie graduated from the University of Florida after serving as her sorority President, and mom and Steph sat in front of the TV watching and cheering from the comfort of home. Rosie was beaming. So very proud of her youngest grandchild.

Last but certainly not least is Christina, or should we say Princess Christina. Christina loved her Grandmother with every fiber of her being and it was reciprocal. Christina called or stopped by to see Rosie every. Single. day. She – known as the “lazy caregiver” – cared for my mom in every aspect the bond between them was palpable. All mom’s caregivers (Anita, Ginny, Key, Shawn, Debbie) became part of our family and are thanked immeasurably for making her last years comfortable and joy-filled. My mom loved them all.

As for us, her three children, we are lost without her but know that mom is in God’s loving arms. She lived with Steph for the last three years. Steph has told me that she misses everything about our mom – mainly her calming and steadfast presence and her Chewbacca voice when she needed something. Veronica, her baby, was devoted and checked in on Rosie all the time. Ranted to her now and then, too. Mom was a perpetual source of strength for Veronica and never, never let her down. Finally, Vicki and I (especially Vicki who was my eyes and ears), took such good care of her medical needs. It was an ongoing balancing act of managing her numerous doctors and medication changes, and ensuring that each specialist knew what the other was doing. Vicki’s consistent attention to detail is the reason she stayed with us as long as she did. Mom knew she was in the best hands and trusted us with all her heart. Her Faith sustained her, and you never heard Rosie complain.

While the world changed instantly that morning you left us, Heaven gleamed a brighter golden hue. Give big hugs to dad, Olivia, Grandma Rose and all the other souls you have been reunited with. We will miss you, Ma. Rest in Peace.