Rosemary Phelan Fridella

Rosemary Phelan Fridella, age 93, of Austin, Texas passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. She was born February 11, 1928 in Norwalk, Connecticut to Gertrude "Irene" and Robert Phelan, the second of their four children. Rosemary's father passed away when she was seven and she grew up in Bridgeport living with her mother, siblings and her mother's sister Alice Cleary, who helped care for the family. Rosemary graduated from Warren Harding HS in 1946 and the Butler Business School in Bridgeport in 1948.

Rosemary loved theater and acting and was happiest performing on stage. She performed in many productions including with the Pentagon Players Theater group.

After graduation she and her sister Pat moved to Washington DC to work for the government. She held various positions working for the US Navy, mainly at the Pentagon. While working at the Pentagon, she met her future husband, Cosmo "Pete" Fridella who was working in the DIA. They were married in 1966 and moved to Chantilly Virginia to raise their family.

Rosemary stayed home with their three children for the first few years and then worked at JC Penney until she retired. Rosemary enjoyed traveling and cruises, especially visiting Ireland and Italy. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and loved to celebrate on St. Patrick's Day each year. Rosemary was also a devoted Catholic and was active in the local Catholic church, St. Timothy's. She loved bridge and card games and was part of a weekly bridge group for many years. She also enjoyed league bowling and played weekly in Virginia. Pete and Rosemary lived in the DC area until 2012 when they moved to the Conservatory Retirement Community in Austin Texas to be closer to their young grandchildren.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Pete, and all of her siblings. She is survived by her children: Kathleen Fridella of New York City; Stephen Fridella and his wife, Marika Whaley, of Boston; and Judy Townsend and her husband, Scott, of Austin; and by her beloved granddaughters, Chloe and Cara Townsend.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Fridella family.