Rose Cerminaro Obituary

Rose DiFrancesco Cerminaro

“A Quiet Woman With a Bright Spirit”

Rose DiFrancesco Cerminaro, beloved mother and adoring grandmother, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 25, 2025, at the age of 95. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 3, 2025, 10 am at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church 2032 Westfield Avenue Scotch Plains. Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains. A visitation will be held on Sunday March 2, 2025 from 3 pm to 6pm at the Rossi Funeral Home 1937 Westfield Avenue Scotch Plains.
    Contributions and donations can be made in Rose's memory to the HealthTree Foundation for Blood Cancer HealthTree Foundation or The Prime Timers Ministry @ St Bartholomew Church. ( Checks can be made to: St Bartholomew Church, memo line Prime Timers Ministry. )

 Rose, a lifelong Scotch Plains resident, was born on March 10, 1929, into a loving extended family on Cook Avenue, where memorable tomato cannings took place annually. She remained in her cherished town for nearly 96 years and built a life based on faith, family and friends. 

Rose was a quiet, gentle woman who was always thinking of others’ needs before her own. She never held a grudge and was a sounding board for advice and patience.  

She graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in 1947 and went on to secretarial school. She was employed by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad in New York, commuting to NYC in silk stockings and heels before the sun came up (as she would often remind her granddaughters). In later life, she worked as a floral designer at Meeker’s in Westfield and was an active member of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Alumni Association. 

Rose met the love of her life, Frank Cerminaro, at her sister Laura’s wedding and they married in 1953. They had many friends and she enjoyed entertaining with her delicious Italian meals in her meticulously decorated home. Christmas was one of Rose’s favorite times of year and she always ensured her tree was perfectly adorned with matching ornaments and beautiful ribbons (AKA “curlicues”). 

Her flare for design could also be seen in her stunning floral arrangements and pristinely decorated baked goods, especially birthday cakes. Her family and friends looked forward to her pizzelles and blueberry pie each year. She loved tending to her treasured garden, which contained colorful flowers and fresh vegetables.

Throughout their marriage, Rose and Frank attended many conferences and galas across the world, and she always wore a polished outfit with stylish accessories. In addition to having a keen fashion sense, her hair, makeup, and nails were always done to perfection.

Rose had a cherished bond with her daughters, Gail and Lynne, and a special relationship with her son-in-laws, Jim (her casino buddy) and Ken (her handyman). She was also an adoring grandmother to Alexandra and Amanda, a beloved sister to Laura and Raymond, and supportive aunt to Gregg. 

Rose was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of Saint Bartholomew Church, actively participating in many clubs and groups including the Rosary Altar Society and Prime Timers senior group. She prayed for all daily and attended mass weekly. 

She had a zest for life and loved getting together with her dear friends to play Scrabble, Bridge, Dominoes and Rummikub. She enjoyed attending weekly meetings with the Scotch Plains Golden Agers senior group, playing tennis, doing crossword puzzles, and driving around town. 

As a lifelong Scotch Plains resident, she had many childhood friends who became her surrogate family into adulthood. She volunteered at many charitable organizations including Smile Train, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association of Greater New Jersey, the Alzheimer's Association, and many others. 

Rose is survived by her daughters, Gail (James Iozzi) and Lynne (Ken Rein), granddaughters Alexandra D’Aluisio and Amanda Rein, and several nephews & nieces. 

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Frank Cerminaro, sister and brother-in-law Laura and Raymond Swidersky and many beloved friends and cousins.