Rose A. (Greco) Carfagno

Rose Carfagno of Norristown passed away on May 12, 2021 surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home. She was 92 years old. Born in Norristown on November 23, 1928, Rose attended Holy Saviour grade school (Formerly The Welsh School); Eisenhower High School in Norristown; and Bryland Institute of Beauty Culture.

Born in Norristown Pa to Italian immigrants, Rose was the second youngest of 12 children who all remained close throughout their lives.

She made everyone she came in contact with feel special. Rose was warm, kind oh so stylish and always appreciated a good laugh. You always knew when she entered a room. She was loved as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

As a teenager Rose worked as a cashier at A&P in Norristown alongside her sisters, Mary, Josephine and Ceda. She married Albert in 1949 and was married for 35 years before his death. Rose was 33 with 3 children when she graduated from Bryland Institute of Beauty Culture in 1963. She spent the next 50 years making women look beautiful for their parties, their children’s weddings and for going out on a Saturday night. Most of her customers became friends and were even invited to her children’s weddings. She retired at the age of 83 from Shear Looks in East Norriton.

Rose enjoyed ballroom dancing with her partner of 27 years, Joseph Chiarolanza, and were lovingly known as “Rose and Joe the dancers” as they danced across the Delaware Valley area. They were always impeccably dressed, color coordinated and many times were mistaken for professional dancers. She loved every minute of it.

She was predeceased by her parents Anthony Greco and Frances (Martesi) Greco; - Her husband Albert Carfagno; her dance partner and loving companion Joseph Chiarolanza; and all of her siblings and their spouses, Catherine (Charlie) Catania, Benjamin (Dot), Anthony (Josephine), Gus (Julie), Domenic (Anne), Harry (Ann), Lena, Lillian, Josephine (Frank) Ritrovato, Mary (John) Raffeo and Ceda (Frank) Foresto.

Rose is survived by her 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Linda (Bill) Butler of Virginia, Charles (Patricia) of Ardmore, Karen (Kenneth) Heller of Audubon and Rosanne (Kevin) Corcoran of Trappe. 7 grandchildren William Butler, Nicole (Bradley) Brown, Jeffrey (Sandra) Heller, Caralee (Cody) Whidmann, Chad Carfagno, Rosemary and Erin Corcoran and 2 great grandchildren, Bailey Brown and Luca Heller.

Relatives and friends invited to her viewing Thursday May 20th from 9:30 - 10:50 AM followed by Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church Hamilton and West Marshall Streets, Norristown   Entombment St. Patrick's Mausoleum

In lieu of flowers contributions in Rose's memory may be made to Leeza's Care Connection  https://leezascareconnection.org/  Columbia, SC Center 201 St. Andrews Rd. Columbia, SC 29210    (803) 888-7525   OR    St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

Arr. by Raffeo-DiCecco Memorial Home       www.raffeodicecco.com

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