Rosemary J. Legorius

1929 - 2024

Legorius, Rosemary J.
COLONIE - Rosemary Jean Legorius, 94, passed away on July 24, 2024, with her daughter, Christine, and her niece, Kathy Byrnes, comforting her and holding her hands. Rosie was born on September 17, 1929, in Schenectady, to the late Nicholas Mauro and Margaret Tenace Mauro. She was the fourth daughter of five children, born to an Italian-American family, and was raised with her parents and siblings in her cherished family home, at 613 Fillmore Avenue. She joked that her birth was not the most celebrated at the time, because she was born during the stock market crash, and because her parents were waiting for a boy. The family home was within walking distance of her extended family, and she always shared fond memories of these valued familial connections. Rosie graduated with high honors from Mont Pleasant High School, in 1947. She was smart, was an excellent typist and excelled at shorthand. She retained her shorthand skills throughout her long life, and always had a generous supply of steno pads on hand. After high school, she worked for the YMCA in Schenectady, and was secretary to the executive director. An avid lifelong baseball and Yankees fan, she met her future husband, George, while attending Schenectady Blue Jays baseball games at McNearney Stadium, with her best friend and YMCA work colleague, Arlene Shubert. George was the bus driver for the stadium route, and she and Arlene were passengers. The rest is history.
Rosie left the YMCA to be a full-time super mom, a goal that she fulfilled many times over until the very end. Rosie's talented uncles designed and, along with George, built her house in Colonie, where she and George lived and raised their daughter. In the 1970s, Rosie was the secretary for her daughter's softball league, Colonie Miss Softball America, and she and her husband enjoyed being involved in the league. Later, she re-entered the work force as a secretary for Weight Watchers International, and she ended her secretarial and administrative career at Congregation Gates of Heaven, in Schenectady. The "job" that she loved the most was being a mom, and she always went the extra mile for her kid. When her daughter was in college, she stayed up all night typing her daughter's college paper that was due the next day. Thanks to Rosie, the paper was submitted on time! She was extremely proud of her daughter, called her "little angel," and often reminded her that she loved her "more than life itself." Rosie was an eternal optimist, a happy person by nature, and maintained a cheerful, loving disposition throughout her life, even while fighting hard and courageously during the past four years of declining health. Her positive energy and will to live helped her to overcome steep obstacles for as long as possible, surprising the medical community. Her favorite phrase was "I love life," and she exhibited that by always being kind and caring to everyone. She was honest and dependable, and prided herself on being able to keep a secret, making many people feel comfortable seeking her sage advice. She was a master at lifting the spirits of those who needed support. She loved to laugh, had a fantastic sense of humor and had a beautiful smile that she liked to regularly show off. She drew strength from her faith in God. Nobody was down when sweet Rosie was around.
She enjoyed parties and gatherings, especially the annual Tenace family reunion with her big Italian family. She loved a cold Corona beer with a lime on a hot day, an occasional basic red wine throughout the year and a well-balanced whiskey sour on special occasions. By her own admission, she didn't like to cook, but she made delicious braciole, escarole with beans, and chicken noodle soup, and she was the queen of macaroni and tossed salads. She unapologetically loved to eat and savored every morsel. Orange pineapple was her favorite ice cream flavor. She liked popcorn popped the old-fashioned way: on the stove. She enjoyed little hot dogs with meat sauce and extra raw onions, a crunchy fish fry, bananas and Mrs. Grass noodle soup. She loved Hershey's kisses. Canali's and Raindancer were her favorite restaurants.
Rosie loved to write cards with uplifting, heartfelt messages and would first (of course) draft the message in shorthand. She enjoyed playing bingo and betting on the ponies at the track. She collected clown figurines, and had a fascination with lighthouses and butterflies. Gone with the Wind was her favorite movie, Wind Song was her favorite perfume and Somewhere Over the Rainbow was her favorite song. She loved flowers, roses being her favorite. She liked to travel by car, and, even though she had little sense of direction, she seemed to find her way to Dunkin' Donuts. She played the baritone horn in high school, and also played the accordion. Many fun times were had with her family and friends making pizza and lasagna while being serenaded by Rosie on accordion. She had an endearing and unforgettable personality, and she will be greatly missed by many, especially by her daughter, who, over the years, lovingly cared for her strong Italian mama, and was always by her side.
She is survived by her devoted and cherished daughter, Christine Legorius; her brother, Nickolas Mauro, of Fla.; and much-loved cousins, nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, George; and by her sisters, Margaret Wooding (late Richard), Marie Byrnes (late Robert) and Jean Baker. Daughter-in-law of the late Nicholas and Bessie Legorius. Predeceased by her best friend, Arlene Shubert Rose; and by her loved nephew, Robert Byrnes, Jr. Special thanks to all family members and friends who joined "Team Rosie", including her cousins, Jovina O'Brien, Virginia Rybicki and Barbara Costello; home caregivers and companions, Tina and Michael Tenace; and CNA, Gladys Beria. Thanks to Shaker Place, for providing care to Rosie.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m., at Saint George Greek Orthodox
Church, 107 Clinton Street, Schenectady, N.Y., with additional calling hours at the funeral home starting at 8:30 a.m., the morning of the funeral. Calling hours will be on Thursday, August 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Griswold Funeral Home, 1867 State Street, Schenectady, N.Y.
Interment will be in Park View Cemetery, Schenectady. Donations in Rosemary's memory may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Operation Smile or to any charity of choice.