Rosemarie Ernst

Rosemarie Ernst, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025, at the age of 85 at Brighton Gardens in Edison. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 4, 1939, to Richard and Rose Whelan, Rosemarie was a woman of grace, warmth, and selflessness who touched the hearts of all who knew her.
She married her beloved husband, Richard R. Ernst, on September 17, 1961. Together, they built a life full of memories. Richard predeceased Rosemarie in May 2015. She was also preceded in death by their daughter, Joanne Ernst Snyder, who passed away in 2017 and her son-in-law, Daniel Snyder, who passed away in 2022, and her brother, Richard Whalen, who passed away in 2024.
Rosemarie is survived by her children: Theresa Ernst Verdi and her husband, John Verdi; Angela Ernst Lotano and her husband, Vincent Lotano; and Richard Ernst Jr. and his wife, Danielle Lyman Ernst. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Matthew Snyder (Carissa), Rachel Snyder, Angela Verdi Gilligan (Jamison), Theresa Lotano, Claudia Ernst, Victoria Verdi, Joseph Lotano, and Logan Ernst. Rosemarie was a proud great-grandmother to Liam Patrick Gilligan and Lucy James Gilligan; and by her sister, Angela Whalen Battaglia and her husband, Nicholas.
Early in her career, Rosemarie worked as a typist before dedicating herself to raising her children, a role she took great pride in. In the last four years of her life, she lived at Brighton Gardens in Edison, where she was an active member of the community. Rosemarie was a beloved ambassador there, always welcoming new residents and helping them adjust to their new surroundings. She took great joy in arranging the fresh flowers for the dining room and was always willing to lend a helping hand to both staff and residents.
Rosemarie will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was truly deserving of peace and will live on in the hearts of her loved ones.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Dooley Colonial Home, 556 Westfield Avenue, Westfield, NJ, with a prayer service at 5:00 PM.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be directed to Special Olympics NJ-Somerset County, PO Box 851, Somerville, NJ 08876. Please make checks payable to "SONJ-Somerset County" and indicate that your gift is in memory of Rosemarie Ernst.