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Rosemary Iaffaldano went home to be with the Lord Sunday morning, February 2, 2020. 

Born as Rose Di Julio, she grew up in Chicago’s “Little Italy ” neighborhood on Filmore Street where, according to some of her fondest childhood memories, she spent many hours caring for and playing with her pet lamb and duck –– both gifts from her father. 

Rosemary graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School for girls just months before World War II ended in 1945. She held jobs as a switchboard operator and a candy factory worker before meeting Dominic Peter Iaffaldano at a Catholic Youth Organization dance. 

Don and Rosemary were married on June 11,1949 in Chicago and were married 65 years when Don went to be with the Lord in 2014. 

They lived in Chicago, IL, Madison, WI, Davenport, IA, Philadelphia, PA, New London, WI, Tryon, NC and finally Roswell, GA. 

Don and Rosemary spent twenty years in Tryon, NC, from 1992 to 2012 where they were members of Tryon Country Club, bridge groups and First Baptist Church of Tryon. 

Rosemary’s faith was a continual inspiration to her family and friends. After the sudden death of her dear dad, James Di Julio (69), in 1972, Rosemary, then 45 years old, finally understood Revelation 3:20 “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears MY voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me.” She knew she would never again be “alone.”

Rosemary was active in small group Bible study, volunteering at church and in her community, playing golf, playing bridge with her friends, and cooking for and spending time with family. She also opened a bookstore in Wisconsin called The Bookworm. More recently, Rosemary started a Bible Study with 40 in attendance last fall. Her dry humor kept everyone on their toes! 

She and Don had five children; Marty, Paul (Patricia), Jim (Cindy), Diane (John) Buyse and John (Kristen), ten grandchildren; Michael, Amy, John, Paige, Heather, Elizabeth, Blair, Mary, Alicia, and Emily and twelve great-grandchildren; Jayden, Emerik, Spencer, Tony, Alison, Evelyn, William, Quinn, Marin, Adeline, Amelia, and August.

Rosemary’s family loved her deeply and she will be greatly missed. 

The memorial service will be at First Baptist Church of Roswell at 10 a.m. (710 Mimosa Blvd. Roswell, GA. 30075). There will be a brief reception after the service.

 

-Submitted by Kristen Laffaldano