Rose Marcantonio

Little, sweet, funny, feisty, red headed Rose Marcantonio died with loving arms around her on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. She was 95 years old, which is the first thing she would tell you when you met her was how old she was. Then she would tell you a joke. She was great at delivering the punchline.

Born in Palermo, Sicily 1929, her pride and patriotism as an American citizen was unmatched. She entered the United States through Ellis Island with her parents and her 3 older siblings. She was raised in Brooklyn, New York until she followed Dad to Savannah in 1951. They had met at Scalamandre Silks in New York, both 16 years old where she was a weaver and he was an inspector. They were married for 49 years until he died in 2000. They raised 6 children together.

She is predeceased in death by her parents, Graziano and Giralima Costagliola, five siblings: Michael, who died at age 22 while serving in the United States Army; Mary Caracciola of New York, Concetta Smith, Matilda Smith and Robert (Jean) Costagliola, all of High Point, North Carolina and her husband, John Marcantonio Jr.

She is survived by her sister Helen Starzman of New York and her six children, Donna(Rex), Laura, Susan, John(Oriana), AnaLisa and Jean(Charles), her grandchildren Laura, Rachel(Michael), Giles(Carolina), Michael(Erin), Lindsey(Trey), John, Kyle, Noah(Nikki), Chrissy, her great grandchildren Colin, Lorenza, Theo, Roman, Rex, Sylvia, Jamie, Lily and two on the way Lili(April 2025) and Nova(June 2025). Also sisters-in-law Anna Marcantonio of Tybee Island and Jean Costagliola of Long Island, cousin Nancy LoNigro of Florida and many beloved nieces and nephews and sweet great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews all of whom she loved and was so proud.

In addition to being the super proud parents of six children, Rose and John spent a lifetime of marriage assisting each other in various community activities. She was a member of the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, a Brownie Scout Troop Leader, and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the Juvenile Court of Chatham County. She was also a member of the Shriner’s Ladies Auxiliary, an advisor for the Rainbow Girls and assisted her husband in the Carnival Unit and various other Shriner’s activities. She was a lunchroom volunteer at Blessed Sacrament School and Benedictine Military Academy and a choir member at Blessed Sacrament and Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Churches.

Rose and John were poll officials for the Chatham County Board of Elections. They developed a Voter Awareness Program for the Chatham County Public schools to reach students before attaining voting age, encouraging them to eagerly anticipate their right to vote. In July 2000 they were the first recipients of the Marcantonio Award, created to honor the poll official who demonstrates outstanding service each year. In 2004 she was named as an Outstanding Citizen of Georgia by the Georgia Secretary of State and traveled to Washington D.C. as a Goodwill Ambassador to testify before the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission. Other awards include 2002 Most Enthusiastic Vista Care Volunteer; 2004 Woodmen of the World Outstanding Citizen Award in recognition of commendable service and noteworthy achievement in the community; 2006 Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary Award for outstanding support and dedicated services; and was the Historic Savannah American Business Women’s Association 1993 Woman of the Year. She was Ms Congeniality and first runner-up in the 2005 Ms. Senior Savannah Pageant. Her talent at age 70 was jumping rope and paddle ball!

For many years, both John and Rose participated in the Mysterious Santa program. The volunteers met at their home (with the 4 lions) on 52nd Street in the hours before dawn on Christmas morning. Dressed as Santa, they and their children visited Savannah hospitals passing out fruit, candy, small gifts and good cheer to every patient.

Rose was an excellent seamstress and made children’s clothes, wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, choir robes, costumes, draperies, tablecloths and other items for the home. She returned to work after the youngest child entered school, and was employed at Sew-Fro Fabrics and as an assistant manager in the Fabric Department at K-Mart. She worked at Publix and for Boars Head for many years where she greeted customers with food samples and, on holidays, wore various costumes she made for the occasion. She reluctantly retired at age 90 when Covid hit.

Rose was very generous and through the decades of her life shared her talents with everyone. She made lasagna for the firefighters, doctors, election workers. She discovered the computer and colored ink and made personalized birthday cards and envelopes to match for all her friends and family. She started cross stitch embroidery and made many quilts for anyone having a baby. As she got older, all she could do was to give hugs and blow kisses. 

Most importantly, Rose said her prayers every day all day including the last day.

Special very special heartfelt thanks to the best and greatest caregivers near the end, Kay, Lesa, Ophelia, Rita, Steve, Larry, DeVera, Kim, Connie, Theodosia, Idell, Clara, Catherine, Gabby, Terrica, Chana, Malika, Erica, Kevin and Chrissy.

Special thanks to Jim and Venessa for the lovingly in mourning lions (Ben, Bo, Leo, Gio) tribute.

Pallbearers John Marcantonio III, Michael Maddox, Michael Marcantonio, John Marcantonio, Adam Deal, Noah Formby

The family will receive friends 5 o'clock until 7 o'clock Wednesday evening, March 5, 2025 at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah, Georgia. Rosary services will be held at 6:30 in the evening on Wednesday.

Rose's Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist, 222 East Harris Street, Savannah, Georgia at 10  o'clock in the Morning Thursday,  Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Garden, Savannah, Georgia. Repast Coach’s Corner 1- 3 PM. Rest in peace sweet mommy.