Rose Vienna Patalano
April 30, 1934 – May 17, 2025

With profound sadness and deep love, we share the passing of Rose Vienna Patalano, who departed this life peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born on April 30, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, Rose entered the world during the Great Depression — the sixth of seven children to her parents, James Patalano and Rachele (Di Capua) Patalano.

She grew up in Brooklyn surrounded by her close-knit family and later graduated from I.S. 228 David A. Boody Middle School, completing her education through the 8th grade — an achievement she was proud of during a time when many women were not encouraged to pursue education.

Rose lived in Brooklyn for the first 62 years of her life, where she worked for the transportation union as a matron on a school bus for special education children. It was there she met one of her dearest lifelong friends, Rose Jean, with whom she remained in touch until the very end.

In 1964, Rose gave birth to her only child, Annamarie Ottolenghi, the greatest joy of her life. She poured everything she had into raising her daughter, a bond that only grew stronger with time. In 1996, when Annamarie had her first child, Christopher, Rose made the decision to retire and move to Media, Pennsylvania — not to slow down, but to embrace her next chapter as a grandmother.

She lived in the same home as her twin sister, Lucy Blackley, who survives her. The two were inseparable, the kind of twins who shared a language of laughter, memories, and clipping coupons. If you knew them, you knew that Rose was the "spicy" one and Lucy the "sweet" one — a pair that brought endless light and personality wherever they went.

Rose helped raise her two grandchildren, Christopher and Olivia, with boundless love and devotion. She lived just across the lawn from them and was there for everything from early morning school routines to helping with preparing dinners. She was the best scrambled egg maker, the teacher of cursive and card games, the giver of strength and laughter.

She cherished her family and their Italian traditions, proudly honoring their roots from Ischia and Rome, Italy. She loved cooking, especially Italian dishes like pasta and roast beef, but her mashed potatoes were her most famous specialty. She was happiest at the table surrounded by her family, reminiscing about the past, telling stories from Brooklyn, or sharing memories of her parents and siblings.

Rose was an active member of the Roman Catholic faith, and she lived her beliefs with consistency. She followed old traditions devoutly, including fasting from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays — a discipline she never wavered from.

She enjoyed the simple joys of life: shopping for groceries or clothes, watching The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Deal or No Deal. As well as playing Pokeno, Rummy, and Bingo with family and friends. In later years, she and Lucy would take day trips with their dear friend Charlotte Hollinger, especially loving outings to Lancaster's IGA store.

She loved Chinese food, meals at the Aston Diner, and always made an event out of everyday errands — often followed by little lunch dates with her granddaughter, Olivia. Rose cherished those outings, even if they were just trips to the doctor, because to her, they were time spent with family.

Her proudest moments included watching Christopher marry Allison, whom she loved dearly. Their wedding song, "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, was one of Rose's favorites and now carries an even deeper meaning — a reminder of how deeply she believed in their love.

To know Rose was to know a woman who filled every room — with her voice, her opinions, her joy, her stubbornness, her humor, and her love. She wasn't one to whisper, and she wasn't one to hold back. Her favorite phrase was a Brooklyn classic: "Fuhgeddaboudit," and it summed her up perfectly. She lived life loudly, fiercely, and with her whole heart.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Rachele Patalano, and her siblings Frank, Pete, Vienna, Louis, and James Jr. She is survived by her twin sister Lucy, her beloved daughter Annamarie Ottolenghi, son-in-law Carlo Ottolenghi, grandson Christopher Ottolenghi, granddaughter-in-law Allison Ottolenghi, granddaughter Olivia Ottolenghi, extended family, and dear friends.

Rose's legacy is the family she built, the memories she made, and the strength she passed on. We will miss our Nosy Rosie dearly, and we will carry her spirit with us forever.

Funeral Arrangements:
For those who would like to pay their respects, a calling time will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, followed by a mass in Rose's honor at 11:00 AM. Immediately after, family and friends are invited to join us for a gathering to celebrate her life at Barnaby's in Aston at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose's memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the BrightFocus Foundation for Macular Degeneration Research—two causes close to her heart..

St. Thomas the Apostle Church: 430 Valleybrook Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342
Barnaby's Restaurant & Pub: 5501 Pennell Rd, Media, PA 19063

________________

Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
www.haganfuneralhome.com