Obituary of Rosemary Cusano

Rosemary Cusano moved peacefully into eternal life on Monday, August 19, 2019.  She shared 85 years of love and faith with everyone she met.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 24^th at 10:00 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 10 N. Pocono Road, Mountain Lakes.  Friends and relatives may visit on Friday, August 23^rd from 3-7 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. 

Rosemary was born in the Bronx in February of 1934.  She was one of two daughters to bless Louis and Jean Caporale.  On June 19,1954, having completed her schooling, she married her longtime sweetheart John Cusano.  They were soon on the move with John in dental school and then the Air Force.  They settled in West Hempstead, NY, where Rosemary raised their six children.  To say her family was her world is most certainly an understatement.  She was the proudest Mother and relentlessly protective of her family.  She instilled the values of hard work and family togetherness in her children. She loved each of them unconditionally and it showed.  As the years went on, Rosemary became the proud Grandmother to fifteen grandchildren.  She never missed an opportunity to attend recitals, concerts, plays, graduations or other chances to celebrate the family she loved so dearly.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Rosemary was generous with her time and her talents.  Many have been the recipients of her handmade baby blankets, scarves and hats, and she loved to bake delicious treats for everyone. She excelled at crochet, quilting and knitting. If you had the pleasure to know her, you know that she cherished your company and was always sincerely interested in you.  In 2011 Rosemary and John moved to The Oaks where she volunteered, played bridge, and enjoyed many new friendships.  This past June she was blessed to renew her marriage vows with the love of her life in a sacrament imbued by her true and deep love, and witnessed by her entire family.  Although we are saddened by the end of her life on earth, we take comfort in knowing her beautiful soul lives on beside the many family and friends who have moved on before her, and together with them is watching over our family with love and pride.

She leaves joyful memories to her adoring husband John of 65 years, her children Anthony Cusano II (Kathy), Jean Anne Byrnes (Edward), Mary Cusano Amsterdam (Adam), Lou Cusano (Karen Hersh), John Cusano (Christine), and Nick Cusano (Caren); and her dear grandchildren Kaitlin (Chris Jones), Sean, John, Bryan, Madeline, Sophie, Samuel, Charlotte, Louis, Emma, and their Mom, Lucy, Thomas, Joseph, Andrew, and Ella. Her beloved grandson Jake and her sister Janice Smith have awaited her in heaven.

We would like to thank the nursing staff on the third floor of St Clare’s Hospital in Denville who helped make Rosemary’s last hours on earth with her family comfortable, dignified and peaceful.

Donations in Rosemary’s name may be made to the good work of the Family Outreach Foundation,  5 Wilson Street, Mendham, NJ 07945 or to St. Jude Childrens' Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.  Please share your memories here.  Her family will cherish them forever.