Obituary of Rose F. Montarello

Rose F. Montarello, 102, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at the Van Rensselaer Manor, just two days shy of her 103rd birthday.

Born in Cervinara, Italy, in 1919, she was the daughter of the late Dominick and Josephine Campana Girardi. Rose moved to the United States when she was four and had always talked about returning to Italy until around age 90 when she said, "You know, I think I'll stay."

Rose was small in stature, but to anyone that knew her, she was larger-than-life. Always quick with a stitch and a firm believer in a proper hem, she helped transform garments into stunning silhouettes as a sewing machine operator at O'Brian & Co. and Tiny Town Togs. She was a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Church and a long-time resident of the St. Jude Senior Apartments.

Rose was the queen of one-liners, an ardent gardener, and always said yes to a cup of coffee. She deemed anyone who refused a second helping of her famous meatballs to be both brave and foolish. She was an absolute force on the bocce courts, often bringing her competitive spirit and playfulness to everything she did. She went above and beyond for those she loved and was recognized for her altruism in 2007 when she received the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award from the Capital District Senior Issues Forum. To say that she lived life to the fullest would be an understatement, and her family and friends will never forget the wild and willful "firecracker" she was, especially when they see a sky filled with fireworks on July 4th.

Rose was the devoted mother of Phyllis (The Late, Kyran) Devery of Wynantskill and

Paul (Nancy) Montarello of North Greenbush (predeceased by their father Angelo Montarello); cherished “Nan” to Joanne (Guiseppe) Molaro of Cohoes, Jason Montarello of Troy, Bridget (Justin) Marlowe of East Greenbush, Staci (Ryan) Thibodeau of Pittsford and Katie (Dovid) Eisenman of Brooklyn; great grandmother of Hogan and Leo Molaro; Sophia, Olivia and Dominic Montarello; Aiden Marlowe; Max and Zoey Thibodeau and Edie and Miles Eisenman; beloved sister of the late Bart and Frank Girardi, Mary Longo, Carmella Savino, Catherine Farina and Lena Pirri. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and friends.

The family of Rose Montarello would like to thank the hardworking employees of the Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy for the friendship and special care they provided.

Relatives and friends are invited to visitation on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 43 Brookside Ave., Wynantskill, NY, 12198, and to her Mass of Christian Burial which will follow beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s the Apostle Church in memory of Rose F. Montarello.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted by the family to the Morris-Stebbins-Miner-Sanvidge Funeral Home, 312 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180. Phone (518) 272-3930.

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