Early Tuesday morning, May 12, 2021, Rose Marie Lukeman, loving wife and mother, passed away at the age of 95.
Rose was born March 29, 1926, in Rumson to Louis and Lucia (Sorrentino) Lazaro, originally from Southern Italy. Going to work after high school for the Department of Defense, she earned the respect of her peers as a valued and well-respected civilian employee until her retirement. After “retiring” she worked 20 more years for the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey in Red Bank.
On July 1, 1951, she married William T. Lukeman whom she met while working at Fort Monmouth, in Eatontown. Rose and Bill had two sons, William Timothy and Christopher James, and one daughter, Miranda.
Rose had a wide range of interests that only grew over time. She wrote a novel, many short stories and poems. She also had a love for wildlife, travel, art, films and both fiction and nonfiction. A warm and generous person, she made friends easily throughout her life and is remembered by all for her vivacity and her positive, caring personality.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, Bobbie Vail and Mary Cataldi, and her beloved husband, William Thomas Lukeman. She is survived by her children, William Timothy (wife Susan), Christopher James (wife Lori), and Miranda; her grandchildren, Christopher, Jessica and Danielle; and nephews and nieces, Michael Cataldi (wife Maryann) and Steven Cataldi (wife Michele), Jim Vail (wife Yolande) and Patricia Vail-Blackett; great-nieces Julia and Michelle Cataldi; and great-nephew Avery Vail. Rose also leaves many close and dear friends, most especially her second cousin Phyllis Pardi.
There will be no funeral services, but a memorial service is planned for later in the year. In lieu of flowers, donations to Maryknoll Society (maryknollsociety.org) and Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) are requested.
The article originally appeared in the May 27 – June 2, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
