Rose Marie Lonero

May 8, 1932 - February 1, 2022

Rose Marie Lonero passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022, at the age of 89, surrounded by family. Rose is honored and cherished by her adoring children Suzanne (Daniel) Thomas, Kathleen (Peter †) Hagedorn, Greg (Melba) Lonero, Valerie (John) Deck, and grandchildren, Megan (Josh), Lauren, Conner, Wyatt, and great-grandson, Carter. She will be missed by her two loving brothers, Frank Gerace (Marie) and Harry Zilli Jr. (Sharon) as well as her caring cousins, nephews and nieces. Rose is preceded in death by her beloved husband, George (married nearly 68 years), her parents Millie Gerace and Harry Zilli, and stepfather Sam Gerace. Born on May 8, 1932, Rose grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, on a neighborhood street near our family’s much-loved St. Rocco’s Church. She was a sweet and hard-working daughter that learned early on the ties that bind a family together. The adoration Rose had for her parents and brothers was evident and just the beginning of a deep love that our kindhearted matriarch created for our entire family. A love that transcended through generations and resonates within all of us today. Almost 70 years ago, Rose and George’s love story began when cupid’s arrow struck and bonded them forever. In her words, “he was the love of my life” and together they built a family and a lifetime of memories filled with affection, laughter, music, celebrations, Italian cooking, Italian baking, family get-togethers, dancing, snowmobiling, swimming, boating, silly home videos and so much more. Rose (often called “Rosie” or “Rosebud”) was an avid reader and also a talented lady. She loved to sew and was a wonderful knitter. We benefited from her talents with gifts of homemade blankets, sweaters and slippers. She always had a project! Rose also loved to travel, and worked as a travel agent for many years. But Rose’s most passionate hobby was her family. It is where her heart lived and inspiration thrived. She loved her husband, her children and her grandchildren with all of her heart and soul. They were the center stones of her universe. She called us her blessing … but she was truly ours. It’s difficult to put into words the magnitude of a mother’s love. You feel it throughout life and cherish it even more in death. The beautiful legacy that Rose left behind flows through us, and serves as a reminder to be kind, humble and generous with one another — traits that we promise to follow with Mom’s tender, loving heart leading the way. Rest easy, Mom, our sweet angel. We miss you so dearly, but you will be in our hearts forever. All services will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 929 Pearl Road, Brunswick. Visitation for family and friends will be from noon to 1 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial commencing at 1 p.m. Private burial for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please keep the Lonero family close in your thoughts and prayers. The service for Rose Lonero will be LIVESTREAMED. Please click this link below to attend Mass virtually. https://boxcast.tv/view/2522-rose-lonero-funeral-mass-hqkec4dgltbqlobgrsoq