Malaspina, Rose Age: 104, Red Bank

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An amazing woman, Rose Malaspina, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 18 at The Wexford Assisted Living in Spring Lake. Her peaceful passing was God’s answer to her family’s prayers. At 104 years old, Rose was so loved by her family and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Still mentally as sharp as can be, Rose got her first computer for Christmas at age 100, became a regular on Facebook, and mastered the art of beating her friends and family on Words with Friends. Rose looked forward to reading daily updates and scrolling through family photos. She loved getting to know distant family and friends in this way.

Rose was born on May 16, 1911 in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she lived until residing in Shokan, N.Y., with her husband and family. She grew up during the depression and left school at an early age to help support her family. She worked as a secretary for the Metropolitan Association of the Amateur Athletic Union in NYC for 15 years, where she enjoyed helping with sporting events. Later, she was a legal secretary in Kingston and Brooklyn, N.Y., and worked for the Secretary of the New York Rangers at the original Madison Square Garden.

Rose moved to Rumson with her family in 1984 where she enjoyed activities with the Rumson Senior Citizens, and was their oldest life-time member. She proudly walked with the seniors in the Memorial Day parade for many years and participated in the Parish Life Committee of Holy Cross Church. She cherished her little apartment in Red Bank, from age 85-100, where she lived independently.

Rose was predeceased by her parents, Frank Paul and Jennie Taormina; her sisters, Mary and Lee Taormina and Lucille Ludwig; her brother, Anthony Taormina; her husband, Anthony Malaspina; and sons, Peter Anthony and John Paul Malaspina. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lee and William Herrlich; her grandchildren, Lauren Noelle Pellizzi, Ryan and Sara Herrlich, Bridget and Tyler Brisk, Casey Herrlich; her surrogate grandchild, Melissa Pitman; her precious great-grandchildren, Kelly, Carly, and Hunter; her sisters, Jessie Bert of Farmingville, Long Island, and Mary Kozicki of Smithtown, Long Island; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She had a kind spirit, positive attitude, and was a friend and peacemaker to all.

Visitation took place at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, on Friday, August, 21. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, August, 22 at Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rose’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38148 or at www.stjude.org/tributes.