Rosalie L. Smith

PITTSTON — Rosalie L. Smith, 107, formerly of Pittston, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2023, at her daughter's home in Palo Alto, Calif., following a brief illness.

Rosalie was the last surviving member of her family. Born in Pittston on July 5, 1915, to the late Joseph and Anna Maria (Alu) Saitta, Rosalie was a member of Pittston High School, class of 1933, a longtime member of the former St. Rocco Church, Tompkins Street, Pittston, and a proud member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU).

Rosalie was born in the Saitta family homestead at 118 Tompkins St., Pittston, where her parents had founded Saitta's Market and Barber Shop after immigrating to the United States from San Cataldo, Sicily, in 1911. The barber shop was later operated by her brother, Samuel. The store operated for almost 50 years, serving families living in the Oregon section of Pittston.

The homestead expanded as the Saitta family grew, and Rosalie often reminisced how her father's nephew, Joseph Saitta, her favorite cousin, was instrumental in building the apartment above the store where she and her brothers and sisters lived, but who was later killed in action as a tank commander during the last stage of fighting in Belgium during World War II. Rosalie, along with her brothers and sisters, worked in the store and later in several dress factories then located in South Pittston.

Rosalie also enjoyed the many times she spent with her extended Saitta and Alu clan members at her parents' summer place in Evans Falls, Wyoming County, usually called "the farm." Although the house had neither indoor water, nor bathrooms, nor electricity, it did have a hand-cranked record player and Rosalie with her brothers, sisters, and cousins would sing and dance, swim, go on hayrides, and walk to Harveys Lake, with the group usually escorted by her elder brother Samuel. Often when gathered together there, Rosalie's uncle, Cataldo Alu, would provide hours of entertainment with his singing and impersonations.

Rosalie also liked to travel. Besides the numerous bus trips throughout the Northeast and New England then available, Rosalie traveled the world from Japan, to Paris, to Tangiers. She traveled to Germany for the birth of her twin grandsons, Patrick and Jeremiah, and in a separate trip visited her parents' birthplaces in San Cataldo, Sicily.

Although Rosalie was living in Palo Alto, Calif., with her daughter, Claire, she wanted to celebrate her 100th birthday in the Pittston area where she could meet with her family, friends, and neighbors. Rosalie often said how very happy she was to once again meet and enjoy the company of long-time friends and family members at the Wilkes-Barre event, and danced to the tarantella and her favorite song, "New York, New York" with some of the guests.

Rosalie celebrated her 107th birthday with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other extended family members in Las Vegas. It was quite an experience, with a completely unknown woman serenading Rosalie with a song in Spanish during her birthday dinner celebration, and Rosalie receiving an ovation from the other guests dining at the restaurant when her birthday party left! To top off the evening, while passing the gaming area, an unknown man, upon learning Rosalie had turned 107 years of age, gave her $120, which Rosalie shortly thereafter lost in the slot machines!

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Smith; brothers: Samuel, Anthony, and Cataldo Saitta; and sisters: Mary Forgionne, Carmella Saitta, and Sue Palermo.

Surviving are her son, Joseph P. Smith and wife Francie, Amherst, N.H.; daughter, Claire Smith, Palo Alto, Calif.; grandchildren: Allen P. Smith, Collegeville, Pa.; Jeremiah A. Smith, Hudson, N.H.; and Patrick A. Smith, Chandler, Ariz.; along with nephews: Guisseppi A. Forgionne, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and Anthony Palermo, Harveys Lake, Pa.; and niece, Grace Palermo Hosier, Jenkins Township, Pa.; and sister-in-law, Angelina Saitta, Jenkins Township, Pa.; and six great-grandchildren.

Our mother, Rosalie, lived practically her whole life in the Oregon section of Pittston, never drove, and lived independently in her own home until she was 99 years of age. The tremendous kindness of her family, neighbors and friends allowed her this life. She experienced so many new things during her life, and she survived the Spanish Flu and COVID, which she contracted but quickly recovered! Our family is so fortunate to have had our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother for so many years, and we will always have wonderful memories of her to treasure.

The family especially wishes to express its profound gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Valerie Narsi, San Jose, Calif., for her tremendous support and care of our mother. For seven years Valerie was a gentle and kind caretaker of Rosalie, and the pathfinder for Rosalie's explorations and adventures at flea markets, yard sales, and anything antiquing throughout the greater Palo Alto area. The family also wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to the nurses of Sutter Care at Home Hospice of California for the exceptional care they showed Rosalie.

Funeral services were entrusted to Graziano Funeral Home Inc., Pittston Township.

Viewing hours will be held on Thursday, March 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will begin at the funeral home at 9 a.m., Friday. Those who plan on attending are asked to be at the funeral home no later than 8:45 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Rosalie on Friday, March 17, at 9:30 a.m. from St. Joseph Marello Parish, 237 William St., Pittston. Entombment, with Rite of Committal, will be held in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville; where Rosalie will be laid to rest with her husband.

For further information, or to express your condolences to Rosalie's family, please visit www.GrazianoFuneralHome.com.