Rose Garippo

Rose Garippo (nee Anisi), 85, of Melrose Park, IL passed away March 1st after a long illness. She was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband William in 1970. Rose was the extraordinary and beloved mother of Anthony (Coleen), Joseph, Sabina (Mark) Matza, Lisa (Robert) Fitzsimmons. Loving sister to the late Christ (Irene) Anisi, the late Angie (David) Purkey, Boris (MaryAnn) Anisi, Annie (Vincent) DePinto, and Mary Anisi; grandmother to Angelo (Amy) Christophell, Francesca, William F., William G., Joseph, Annie, Brenna, Sofia, and Michael; great grandmother to Ayvn and Aislynn. Loving aunt to numerous nieces and nephews and dear friend to many; and well loved by her caretakers.

Rose was born in Chicago in 1934 and raised in the Pilsen neighborhood. A 1952 graduate of Harrison High School, she attended Northern Illinois University until she married William in 1956. Upon being widowed in 1970, she devoted herself with unwavering love, care and strength to raising her four young children in Melrose Park. She soon became a teacher’s aide at Elm School for several years and then moved on to the Construction Dept of Jewel Foods supporting the team for over 25 years until she retired. Her balance of freedom, discipline, values and priorities gave her children the foundation to broaden their scopes beyond anything they could have imagined. She always lived her life with grace and dignity, providing a glowing example to anyone who had the privilege to know her. As a single parent, she became the steady center of family life, creating a household that was filled with warmth, love and stability and a sanctuary for anyone who entered. And above all, she always kept her sense of humor.

Food was central to her family’s life, whether eating or serving. Rose was an amazing cook who loved to feed her family, hosting Sunday dinners for her children, grandchildren and absolutely anyone who wanted to join in. She hosted annual parties during the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park that were legendary. Rose attended nearly every event in which her children participated in, and many of her grandchildren, and enjoyed watching all Chicago sports teams, whether in the park or at home. She often spent time with her many lifelong friends, taking weekend trips to catch up, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. She enjoyed music, especially Tony Bennett, and would take her sisters to see Jazz greats when they were younger. Rose was an extraordinary woman and mother who left an indelible mark on everyone whose lives she touched.

Funeral Thursday beginning with visitation at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Chapel Service at 10:00 a.m. at Salerno’s Galewood Chapels, Sciaraffa Funeral Directors, 1857 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, 60707. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday 3:00-9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will be greatly appreciated. For information call (773) 889-1700.