Rose Marie Ann (Rogo) Rossi, 91, lifelong resident of Hurley, quietly slipped away in her sleep, tucked warm in her bed, on the cold, snowy evening of Fri., January 10, 2025. She was in the care of Hurley's Sky View Nursing Center.

She was born August 6, 1933, to Oreste and Mary (Stella) Rogo, in their home, in Hurley, Wisconsin. Her Italian, Catholic heritage was a central influence in her life. Her passing marks " The End of an Era"; the last Matriarch of both families.

She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and devoted, loyal friend to so many;

also known as "Rosemary, Rose, and Ro". She was named after her Nona Rosa Stella, mother Mary Stella Rogo, and Nona Anna Rogo. Grandparents Peter and Anna Rogo, immigrated from Italy to America in the late 1880's, and were recognized among the first citizens and business owners in Hurley; Peter was a miner; then later, proprietor of Fashion Shoes.

In her youth, she learned the Art of Cooking and Baking, from her father, Oreste, Nona Anna Rogo from Rome, and Nona Rosa Stella from Venice; generations of recipes. Before she was a teenager, her father fondly called her "My Little Cook". She became a fabulous cook and baker, along with seasonal canning; known for her pastas, gnocchi, double-crusted anchovy pizza, biscotti, potato cinnamon rolls, hot and sweet peppers and antipasto. Fine food, homemade from scratch; was her passion: she found pure joy in generously sharing it with the world. Anyone stopping in at our home, was offered a dish of something good: she said," taste a sample" and you leave stuffed, with a "doggie bag in hand."

She gave cooking and baking lessons in her kitchen or yours, using her own special recipes: and passed her love of cooking onto her family: her grandson, Aaron Rossi, is now a "Head Chef "in Oshkosh, Wis.

Rosemary graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School, and Hurley's Lincoln High School class of 1952. She continued her education at Gogebic Junior College, enrolled in Business. During high school and college years, she led an active life: snow and water skiing, swimming at the family cottage in Manitowish Waters, and playing the piano. She served as a Girl Scout leader, and was a member of St. Mary's Sodality. At Gogebic JC, she was a member of the College Women's League and a Sno-Week Queen candidate in 1953. At the same time, she helped with bookkeeping at her parents' business, Modern Dry Cleaners, and worked in ticket sales, for the "Range Theatre"; Hurley's first "talking" movie house. The public was charmed by her warm welcome, big smiles and efficiency.

On Feb.13, 1954, Rosemary married Frank V. Rossi, of Cary, Wis., at St. Mary's Church. They made their home of nearly 60 years, on the lively, friendly "Copper Street", next door to her parents, the Rogo family. They raised four beloved children there: JoEtte, Bob, Dan, and sweet Jennifer.

Our home was her castle, named "Grand Central", as we welcomed family and friends from near and far, for the legendary Italian hospitality, fabulous food, and good times, called "tons of fun". "MANGIA" was Mom's favorite word.

We helped and shared our home with Aunt Esther Rogo for several years, and with teen niece, "Sis" Carolyn Cattelino, when her family relocated, after the mines closed. Many of our friends and family called Rosemary, "their second Mom"; she was warm, loving, compassionate and always lent an ear: she was easy to talk with, she made everyone feel special, accepted and important to her. No matter our faults, she always chose to find the best in people. She possessed a forgiving heart and strength of character; no matter the circumstance, she always looked at life as "the glass half full".

She loved all animals, especially her dogs and birds. Her entire life was filled with furry pets, with cute names; she eventually called them all "Baby", she loved them with all her heart. Her bird cage was always a buzz with sweet sounds. She loved nature; walks in the woods, XC skiing, and the Gile Flowage Beach.; the beauty of flowers, especially roses and all the butterflies in her garden. She had beautiful angel and snowman collections. Everything and Everyone she loved, she called her "treasures." She shared all that she possessed, most of all her beautiful spirit and kind heart.

Rosemary was a people person; she loved people, and people were attracted to her warm, magnanimous personality.

She was a sweet, fun-loving, generous, thoughtful soul; she could talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere. As a young woman, in her twenties, Rosemary said YES, when "Grandma" Carmella Fontecchio called, offering her work at the Liberty Bell Chalet; for decades there, she formed countless friendships, locally and from the cities.

Lou Gheller from Powderhorn, told her she was one of the "hardest working people" he has ever known, and he knew many. She aimed to be the best. She moved on to Connie's Supper Club and later to her nephew's Ironwood Cleaners.

In every capacity, she took pride in a job well done, and thrived on making many wonderful friendships. She added the "Fun Factor", always wanting people to enjoy themselves. Wherever she worked, her co-workers were like family.

She was ahead of her time, at "networking": she knew how to make connections. Everywhere she went in the area, people knew her.

Rosemary is survived by her children: JoEtte (Thomas) Rossi-Luich, Robert (Sandra) Rossi, and Daniel Rossi.

Forever remembered by her grandchildren: Twins Christopher and Corey Luich, Puyallup, Wash., Madeline Rose Rossi (Zach Greisch), Appleton, WI., and Aaron Rossi, Oshkosh, WI.; and her precious great-grandchildren Gabriella Rose Rossi (and her mother Emily Holsworth), Oshkosh, and newborn Charlotte Stella Greisch, Appleton, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and a lifetime of cherished friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Peter and Anna Rogo, Anton and Rosa Stella, her in-laws, Egidio and Mary Rossi, husband Frank Rossi 1981, precious daughter Jennifer Rossi 2002, brother Theodore and wife Lenore Rogo, sister Geraldine and husband Bill Pallin, Sr., stepmother Bruna (Marconeri) Rogo, along with many dear extended family members and countless good friends.

The Rossi family gives special thanks to our lifelong friend, Michele (Lundgren) Soderman, for her love and extraordinary dedication to our mother, as her in-home caregiver, when Mom needed care from someone she loved and trusted. Thanks to dear Mary Saari for her excellent in-home care and loving commitment. Thank you to the wonderful Avanti Health Care team.

A very special thank you to the entire staff at Sky View Nursing Center, for their ten years of outstanding, loving, professional care. The staff called Rose their "Angel": when they needed a kind word, a smile, a hug, they would see Mom and everything would be all right; her favorite words were: "Beeeautiful, Wooonderful, Honey-Bunny, and Love You". On the evening of her last day, with a smile on her face, Mom's parting words to a nurse leaving for the day was "Good bye, Honey".

"Our mother Rose, remains the most beautiful flower in the garden of our lives."

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday August 16, 2025 11:00 a.m., preceded by 10:00 a.m. visitation at

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hurley, with Rev. Raju Sunkara as celebrant; followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family invites you to our Celebration of Life Luncheon, immediately after burial, at Sharon's Coffee Co., Hurley.

Per Rosemary's wishes: Donations may be made to her late daughter's fund. Contact: Gogebic Community College. Ironwood, Michigan The Jennifer T. Rossi - WIMI-WJMS Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Rosemary led by example, please do simple acts of kindness for others, be a good friend, cook or bake for someone, visit the sick and the lonely, smile often, be kind, lend an ear, honor nature, show you care.