Rose Marie Casalinova

Rose Marie Casalinova (Merendino), was born July 9, 1942 in Akron, Ohio, the youngest of five children, to Italian immigrants Frank and Santa Merendino.  She died Saturday, July 9, 2022, in Tallmadge, Ohio on her 80th birthday.

Rose grew up in Akron, graduated from St. Mary's High School, and worked for the Akron Public Schools for 22 years.  In 1963 she met the love of her life, Frank Casalinova, and was married for 58 years. Rose selflessly put her family first and loved the home they built together.  She was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and their Italian heritage.  Over the years, Rose was known for welcoming friends and family into their home, and celebrating special occasions with her homemade cooking and baking.  Holidays were filled with beautifully presented homemade goods that Rose would spend days preparing. Family togetherness was at the forefront for Rose while raising her family. She prided herself on sitting down with her five children and husband each night for dinner, even if it was late into the evening due to sports and activity schedules. Rose loved family reunions, beach vacations, shopping, dancing, and attending the sporting events of her children and grandchildren. In the end, she was surrounded by her loving family in her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Santa Merendino; brother, Sam Merendino; sister-in-law, Vilma Merendino; sister, Josephine Gergosky; brother-in-law, Robert Gergosky; brother-in-law, Nino Usberghi; and sister, Angie Papatonis.  On her husband's side she was preceded in death by in-laws, Mary and Anthony Casalinova, Helen and Ralph Spano, Elizabeth and Donald Mills, G. Jerry and Natalie Casalinova, Anthony Casalinova, Teresa and Tom Quartarella, Monica and Joe Montanaro, John DiRoberto, Karen Casalinova and Barbara Kanche.

Rose is survived by her loving husband, Frank; devoted sister, Jennie Usberghi; daughters, Gina (Maria) Casalinova, Angela (Paul) Somodi, Monica (Kevin) Kurko, and Marisa Casalinova; son, Frank (Tami) Casalinova; ten grandchildren: Jordan, Elyse, Natalie, Danny, Olivia, Jenny, Emilia, Kari, Kaitlyn, Luciano and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by in-laws, Frank Papatonis, William Caslin, Jill Caslin, Frances DiRoberto, Ron Casalinova, Joe Casalinova, Monica Casalinova and John Kanche.

The family wishes to give special thanks to InCare Ohio Home Hospice for all the love and care of Rose over the past several years and Our Lady of Victory Church.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Donovan Funeral Home located at 17 SW Avenue on historic Tallmadge Circle.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at Our Lady of Victory Church 73 North Avenue in Tallmadge with Rev John Hengle.

The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on Our Lady of Victory's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofvictorychurchtallmadge/.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.