Rosemarie Smith

A visitation for Rosemarie will be held Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314. A visitation will occur Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314. A visitation will occur Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314. A funeral mass will occur Friday, February 1, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sacred Heart Church, 981 Castleton Ave., Staten Island, NY 10310. A cremation will occur.

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

We are saddened to announce that Rosemarie Smith, of Randall Manor, Richmond County, New York has passed away. She died on January 28, 2019 surrounded peacefully by her loving husband of 46 years, Kent, her son Keith, as well as her daughter and son-in-law Trisha and Sean King.

Rosemarie was born on April 2, 1943 to Joseph and Virginia Esposito of Staten Island. She was the eldest child and only daughter of 4 siblings. Joseph Esposito, his wife Rita, and Robert Esposito, his wife Helen, survive her passing, her brother, John, passed several years earlier.

In addition, Rosemarie had 4 grandchildren: Emily Margaret (14), Aidan Patrick (11), Harrison Joseph (10), and Sebastian Valentine (7). She loved her grandchildren dearly, often saying, “I love you to the moon and back.”

Rosemarie was a career educator, serving the NYC Board of Education as a teacher at PS 19 (Port Richmond) for 36 years. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from St. John’s University and achieved a Masters’ degree from Kean University. Her career included being recognized as Teacher of the Year.

Rosemarie lived an exuberant life filled with family, friends and celebration. She was loved by many people, most especially her group of close friends, the Divas, who have been together since grade school. Rosemarie was always welcoming of anyone that came to her house. Her constant joke (and reality!) was that she always had a ham in the fridge and an extra potato she could throw in the pot, if needed. She hosted many a “prince spaghetti night” and holidays that often culminated with family and friends reveling in each others company into the early morning hours. It was not uncommon for small family meals to become gatherings of 20+ people at her home. Anyone that knew her undoubtedly experienced her gracious hospitality and welcoming spirit.

Later in life, her and Kent divided their time between New York and Pompano Beach. She loved her friends at the pool at her Florida condo, and enjoying leisurely Sunday brunches filled with laughter and the occasional Cosmo.

In the end, she was an amazing, educated, strong, and distinguished woman whom her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, and nieces and nephews were proud to have known and emulated. She was the life of the party, the source of comfort to those that were sad, the caretaker for those that we sick, and the teacher for those that needed to learn how to live life. Even in her final days, she taught so many of us how to love, empathize, care, forgive, and respect. “A great person is one who leaves others at a loss after they are gone.” We pray that Rosemarie Smith may rest in eternal peace.