Rosemarie Santangelo

Rosemarie Santangelo of Asheville, NC, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Brooks Howell Home in Asheville. She was born on March 15, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, to Michael and Anna (Stabile) Marriello of Queens, New York, and raised in St. Albans, New York. Rosemarie was preceded in death by her husband, Jack J. Santangelo; her parents, Michael and Anna (Stabile) Marriello; her brother, James Marriello; and her son, Robert J. Santangelo. At the age of approximately 16, Rosemarie had told the “Inquiring Photographer” (a column in a newspaper of the time) that her ideal man was: “tall, dark, handsome, smoked a pipe, is a great dancer, and has a great sense of humor.” She went on to graduate from Katherine Gibbs and worked in New York City at her father’s garment district business, Marriello Fabrics. This is where she met Jack, her “ideal man!” He proposed to her one night while driving across the Whitestone Bridge in Queens, NY, where he stopped in the middle of the bridge and gave her “a white stone on the Whitestone!” They were married on December 27th, 1947, during a blizzard. She was pictured in a New York City paper with the headline, “The Bride Wore Boots!” For 15 years, Rosemarie owned and operated her own successful business, the Pintard Telephone Exchange, in New Rochelle, NY. After that, she became a travel agent with Days Travel in Eastchester, NY. Her boss, Frank Day, called her “Farfadella” (Italian for social butterfly!) because she loved to travel the world! Rosemarie and Jack retired to Naples, Florida, where they lived for many happy years until they further retired to Asheville, North Carolina. They were married for 68 years and were blessed with four children, and 12 grandchildren: son Robert Santangelo, Sr. (passed 2024) (Diana) of Mars Hill, and children: Michelle, Nicole (Otoniel), Robert Jr. (Kara), Jack (Amanda) and Ryan; daughter Jacqueline Santangelo Schwartz (Howard) of Boston, MA, and children Nadia (Owen) and Nicholas (Anna); son Stephen Santangelo (Anne) of Asheville, and children Elizabeth (Andy) and Michael (Elaine); and son Richard Santangelo (Pamela) of Asheville and children Jonathan (Rachel), Daniel (Traci) and Jennifer (Adam), along with 13 great-grandchildren. Rosemarie always referred to herself as a “bragging grandmother,” but her family and friends called her “Party Girl!” She always brought great joy, happiness, and fun to the party and loved to dance! The family would like to thank all the wonderful people at Brooks Howell Home for their compassionate care over the past several years. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 pm on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804. A service and interment will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025. There will be a Funeral Mass at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 65 Culvern St, Asheville, NC 28801, beginning at 11:30 AM with interment at Lewis Memorial Park to follow.

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Rosemarie Santangelo

March 15, 1927 - August 26, 2025