“Rosie” was the daughter of Tony and Maggie Giammalva who were immigrants from Sicily and owned a grocery store in the Fifth Ward. She worked in the store while she was a teenager. After graduating from Jeff Davis High School in 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Earl on January 2, 1949. When her children were young, Rosie loved to sew and made many dresses and blouses for herself and daughter, Diane. She operated her own taxi service, carrying her kids and neighbors to school, and to practices for team sports. Her dedication to God and her family never wavered.
Rosie is preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Maggie, and her sister Marie Bertone.
Rosie is survived by her husband of 66 years, Earl; sons, Ronald and wife Carol, and Gerald; daughter Diane Jarratt and husband Steve. Grandchildren, Dylan Gajdosik, Angel Gajdosik, Kyle Epps, and Kelli Epps. Great-grandchildren, Jacob Gajdosik and Anthony Gajdosik. She will be dearly missed.
