ROSE M. BRANCATO

Rose M. Brancato, 79, Kansas City, MO, passed away Sunday, September 5, 2010 peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. The Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 8, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5106 St. John Ave., Kansas City, MO 64123. Entombment will follow in Mt. Olivet Mausoleum. Friends may call 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124, where the Rosary will be said at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Crossroads Hospice, 9237 Ward Pkwy, Ste 300, Kansas City, MO 64114. Rose was born December 9, 1930 in Kansas City, MO, the eldest of three daughters of Joe and Carmelina Cusumano. She married Sam Brancato on October 28, 1949, sharing 53 years together until Sam's death in March of 2003. Rose and Sam built a life together centered on providing a loving and stable home for their six children. After the youngest of her children began high school, Rose attended cosmetology school and upon obtaining her license worked as a beautician part-time at Montgomery Ward on Belmont, followed by operating her own shop in her home. From 1988 to 2002 she provided invaluable help and assistance to her husband Sam and son Joe in operating Brancato's Market at Independence Avenue and Norton, keeping the store immaculately clean and preparing and cooking the meatballs and sugo. Rose took particular satisfaction in the years she worked at her daughter Carmeline's daycare, Children's Kingdom, a family operation that also involved her daughter Josephine and sister Frances. "Nana Rose" loved the children there as if they were her own and was always thrilled when a former student would insist that parents take him or her by to see "Nana". After the daycare closed in July of 2009, Rose insisted she and daughter Carmeline provide "Nana Nana" daycare to great-grandchildren Freddy, Sammy, and RoRo at her home. Rose was preceded in death by her husband Sam, her parents, daughter Josephine Brancato, and grandson Anthony Brancato. She is survived by her son Frank Brancato and wife Teresa, daughter Carmeline Bryant and husband Fred, son Joseph Brancato and wife Rozann; son Salvatore Brancato and wife Becky, son Phillip Brancato and wife Enza; grandchildren, Tom (Sheri) Brancato, Carmelina Ward, Roselyn (John) Arnold, Dr. Sam Brancato, Frances Brancato, Thomas (Paula) Bryant, Allison (Dustin) Kendrick, Rosemary Bryant, Joseph Brancato, Jolynne Brancato, Francesca Brancato, Valencia Brancato, Alecia Brancato, Gabrielle Brancato, Linda Brancato; great-grandchildren, Sal, Abby and Lilly Brancato, Freddy and Rosemarie Bryant, Sammy Kendrick, and Nina Arnold. She is also survived by her sisters, Josephine (Joseph) Ferrantelle, Frances Vazquez; and uncle and aunt, Salvatore and Teresa Mentesana. Rose's passion in life was the time she spent with her family. She always insisted on being the last to eat at holiday functions, making sure everyone else was served. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She was the matriarch of the family, always concerned and worried about everyone's well being, offering sound and wise advice and unflinching and loyal support to those lucky enough to be family and friends. She was a source of confidence and strength and her life serves as a glowing example of caring about and serving others. P