Rose Sabilia New London- After a well lived and long life, at the age of 101 Rose Siragusa Sabilia passed away peacefully on December 8, 2018, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in New London to John and Nicolette DiMaggio Siragusa on September 14, 1917, Rose attended local schools and was a graduate of Williams Memorial Institute, Class of 1936. She attended the Hartford School of Cosmetology and graduated in 1938.
She married the love of her life, Anthony F. Sabilia on April 6, 1940, and they were married for 57 happy years until his death in February 1997. Rose worked for Gorra Brothers for 20 years and was very active in the Community. She was a Cub Scout and a Girl Scout leader, Diocesan Chairman for Catholic Girl Scouting for 15 years.
Rose was the first woman in the Norwich Diocese to be given the St. Ann’s Award for exemplary service to Catholic Girl Scouting. She was active in Girl Scouting for 45 years and held many positions. Rose had been a member of St. Joseph’s Church for 101 years, served as President of Catholic Women’s Club, President of AARP, and she organized and ran their trips for many years.
A volunteer for the Red Cross Blood Bank, RSVP, St. Teresa’s Mother’s Circle and, along with her husband, Tony, were members of the Maritime Society. Rose’s biggest joy was having family gatherings and cooking for all of them. Rose is survived by her two children, Anthony F. Sabilia, Jr. and his wife Cleo of New London, and Teri Gavigan and her husband Gary of Westbrook.
Three grandchildren and their spouses survive her, Anthony F. Sabilia, III (Krista) of Ledyard; Elizabeth A. Sabilia (Albert Dahl, III), of Waterford; and Ryan Gavigan (Katie) of Guilford. She was predeceased by her grandson, Sean M. Gavigan. Rose is also survived by her great-grandchildren Sam and Wyatt Sabilia and their mother, Elyse Sabilia, Giovanni and Francesca DeSantis, Joey and Tessa Gavigan, as well as Shane and Mikayla Fors, and Albert and Jaime Dahl.
She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews in both the Barone and Sabilia families. Her extended family, Edd and Marsha Ley, Bill Boordsen, Tricia and Mike Quilter and family, also survive her. In addition to her beloved husband and grandson, Rose was predeceased by her parents, her sister Mary Jane Barone, her special nephew James A. Barone, and her very dear friend, Mildred Ferace.
The family would like to thank Deborah Ellis, Felicia Danso, Martha Marx, Arnold Feibel, Father Joseph Castaldi, Betty Kay, Debbie and George Leitkowski, Kathy Ryan, and all of the Harbour House Family for their love and kindness that they have shown their mother and their Nonnie. Calling hours will be held at The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London, on Wednesday, December 12th from 4 to 7:00 pm. The funeral will assemble at 9:15 A.M Thursday, December 13th at the funeral home and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 A.M. in St. Joseph Church.
Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be sent to the St. Joseph’s Endowment Fund, 25 Squire Street, New London, and to the New London Adult Education Anthony F. Sabilia Scholarship Fund, 3 Shaw’s Cove, New London. Condolences may be shared on Rose’s memorial page at www.
neilanfuneralhome.com.
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