Rosemary T. “Rose” Capriola

Rosemary T. “Rose” Capriola, age 88, of Dubuque, IA, left us suddenly in the arms of her angels on January 14, 2025.  To honor Rosemary’s life, family and friends may gather in food and fellowship for her Celebration of Life from 1:00–4:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Rockford Verdi Club, 782 North Madison Street in Rockford, IL.  A Prayer Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Keith Seaberg officiating.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Rosemary’s family.

Rosemary was born on May 6, 1936, in Rockford, IL, a daughter to Joseph and Lillian (Oddo) Capriola.  She was a kind and sweet soul through and through and the gentlest woman you could ever hope to meet.  Thankfully, Rosemary also possessed a strong will and spirit of determination which she carried faithfully throughout her entire life.  Burying three infant sons would be enough to leave permanent scars on the heart of any mother, but Rosemary used these trials and tribulations as a cause to focus even more intently on the loved one’s the Lord was gracious enough to gift her with.  She loved her family deeply and dearly.  Rosemary had decided early on that family was her greatest joy and they were going to be her life until the end was to arrive.  Any opportunity to have them by her side, under her immense and ever-loving wings, or even on the phone with her sincere ear pressed firmly against it; Rosemary’s heart was always content when she was playing her role as matriarch perfectly. 

She did find some time to share her talents with her friends at the Roma Bakery, and never missed a chance to perform a little retail therapy with Marcy, but again, Rosemary’s heart and mind were continually watching the clock and simply waiting for the time to arrive when she was back in the presence of her beloved family.  It’s beyond imagination to even attempt to begin navigating this new and heartbreaking reality we must face without her love and light shining so brightly in all of the lives around her.  The world will never be the same and appears so much smaller today sadly.  We will love and miss our dear Rosemary with all of our hearts and can only hope to find peace and healing in time.  Thank you, Rosemary, for role-modeling so intently the true gift of love, for leading by example without hesitation, and for never allowing the pain that this world sometimes brings into our lives to ever gain a foothold within your devotion to others.  We pray that the Lord has brought you into your eternal state with such love and grace that even our pain would be eased in the knowledge of the peace you feel today.  God bless and God speed sweet Rosemary and may the legacy of love you leave behind remind us all that this is only a temporary journey for each and every one of us until we must never be apart again forever more.   

Those left to cherish the memory of Rosemary include,

her three adored daughters,

Rose (E.J.) Ames, Dubuque, IA,

Nina (Joe) Graciana, Rockford, IL,

and Carla DalSanto, Byron, IL;

her six grandchildren,

Davey Ames, Dubuque, IA,

Jason (Jilly) Graciana, Rockford, IL,

Jeff (Jackie) Ames, Rockford, IL,

Joey (Angie) Graciana, Rockford, IL,

Jimmy (Sarah) Graciana, Rockford, IL,

and Jory DalSanto, Byron, IL;

her fourteen great-grandchildren,

Zoe (Alex), Carmen (Joey), Hannah (Zach), Zane (Sydney), Isabella, Paige, Max, Lex, Lilly, Evie, Mariah, Camden, Scarlett, and Tatum;

her four great-great-grandchildren,

Sawyer, Noah, Joey, and Delilah;

her brother,

Joseph (JoEllen) Capriola, Jr., Rockford, IL;

other loved ones,

Dave Ames,

Mark DalSanto,

and Lori Wineland;

along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life for 33 years, Bob Shipp; her brother, Anthony (JoAnn) Capriola; her special sister-in-law, Marcy Capriola; her three infant sons, Joseph, Gary, and Carl;  her granddaughter, Toni Ames; and her great-granddaughter, Olivia Graciana.

Rosemary’s family would like to thank the staff at the Dubuque Fire and EMS Departments, the Dubuque Police Department, and the Dubuque County Medical Examiner’s Office for all of their professional and compassionate care during this difficult time.

Online condolences may be shared with Rosemary’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com