Rosalia "Rose" P. Kaintz

Rosalia "Rose" P. (nee Polizzi) Kaintz, age 71, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Friday, February 16, 2024. Beloved wife of Craig Kaintz; dearest mother of Lauren (Jason) Schroeder, Chris (Victoria), and Brendyn (Kelsey) Kaintz; dear grandmother of Scarlett, Crosby, and Greta Schroeder, Olivia, Adler, and August Kaintz; dear sister of Anna Marie (Dr. Stephen) Polizzi-Keller, Phyllis Herich, Catherine (James) Miller, Margaret (James) Colestock, and Dominica (Richard) Hoffman; our dear sister-in-law, niece, aunt and friend to many.

Rosalia was the oldest of six sisters in the Polizzi family. Her role as the oldest sibling would translate into a life of love, caring, and providing for others. She would go on to serve as a nurse for more than 30 years at multiple hospitals throughout St. Louis. Rose would continue to serve as a volunteer nurse and Eucharistic Minister for many years following her career, with special love for her time in the NICU as a nurse cuddler. Her devotion to family and serving others was surpassed only by her devotion to her faith. She would never miss an opportunity to evangelize and help others return to their faith. Rose’s faith and focus on prayer was a beacon to all. Rose and Craig served as weekly adorers at the Incarnate Word Perpetual Adoration Chapel from its installation in 2001. In 2020, they came to Ascension Parish, where Rose was the founding member of the Divine Mercy Devotion. Since then, the chaplet is recited daily in the Little Church. Following her diagnosis of Stage IV cancer in November of 2022, this devotion to faith and family was clearer than ever. Her love of Christ and her family empowered her to 15 more months of love, laughter and endless memories made with family and friends.

Affectionately known as “Nona” to many, Rose was a very talented gardener, chef, and decorator. Her family and friends were always amazed at her ability to throw a party. Many were fortunate to attend these events, whether for friends, families, charities, her parish, or her children’s schools. When she wasn’t occupied with one of these events or working at the hospital, you could find her at one of her children’s many sporting events, vehemently rooting them on! Rose would become a motherly figure for many of her children’s friends, caring for and supporting them as one of her own. It was a blessing to know her and to experience her passion, her caring, and, most of all, her love. She will be missed by so many, but in the words of her favorite St. Padre Pio: “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry.”

A visitation for Rose will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM at the same location. Private interment at Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum, 5239 W. Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115.

Contributions in Rose's memory to The Padre Pio Foundation of America at 463 Main St. Cromwell, CT 06416. https://padrepio.com. or to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at https://pancan.org.