Rose Colaizzi Tonti “Rosie”

September 2, 1921 — August 18, 2023

La Dolce Vita! (The sweet life)

A centennial mother, grandmother “Nonna”, great-grandmother “Nonina”, and friend to everyone she met. Rosie was born in a small mountain town outside of Rome, Italy called San Pietro Avellana. She was the daughter of Giuseppe “Joseph” Colaizzi and Loreta Sozio Colaizzi. On March 31, 1950, Rosie’s boat reached New York; Domenic and Rosie made the final trek to Ogden, Utah. They married on March 31, 1951 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Rosie started working at Utah Tailoring Mills in 1953 as a seamstress.

Domenic and Rose were eager to learn English and become US citizens. They took English classes and vowed their children would lead American lives. When Rosie went to take her citizenship test, she said the person interviewing her scared her and she flunked the test three times, however she never gave up, and became a citizen in 1956. Rosie’s motto from that day forward was: “God Bless America!”.

They had three daughters who all attended Saint Joseph Catholic Schools; Rosie and Domenic became members of the original St. Joseph Catholic High School Athletic Booster’s Club. Rosie was an avid Jazz fan and rarely missed a game.

After Domenic’s death in 1982, Rosie and her mother built a home on the mountain foothills. Rosie would walk to St. James Catholic Church every day for daily Rosary, Mass, Adoration, and socialization with coffee and cookies after Mass with friends. Father Erik Richtsteig offered to put a gate in her backyard so it would be a shorter walk for her, however Rosie said she would be fine. She was involved in many ministries at St. James over the years. Currently, she was an active member of the Council of Catholic Women at Holy Family Catholic Church, Promoters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Joseph Church, and the Catholic Business Women’s Luncheon. Every month she looked forward to going to the meetings, but mostly the socialization.

At Utah Tailoring, she lived out her passion for being a fashion designer. She made patterns, did hand-finishing work on the clothing, and created her signature rose made out of material for celebrities and rodeo queens. After 45 years she retired in 1999 at age 78 only because she was stricken with macular degeneration and was no longer able to see to thread a needle. Throughout her career she would always say in her thick Italian voice: “It no matter how much money you make, you need to be happy with your job”.

Rosie’s passions were clear and simple, “Keep a go-a, God first, family, friends, work hard, good food, be of service to others, make people smile, be grateful for everything you have, forgive, and surround yourself with many friends and family.” She remembered everyone she met and they remembered her making her feel, “like a movie starrr,” as she said. She offered 101 years and 11.75 months of love; everyone who met her forever remembers and shares stories they created together. God Bless America! Go Utah Jazz! Within a month before her death she made 5 loaves of bread, 6 dozen Italian cookies and 24 dozen Pizzelles.

At the age of 101, she had a cameo in the movie, “Devil’s Men”, about the Byrne family and the American Soldier Black Devil’s Brigade who helped liberate her town during WWII. She loved going to the premieres, being interviewed by the Director Dave Bresnahan, and feeling like a movie star. She said, “See you’re never too old to do what you want”.

Rosie was blessed with an abundance of friends which was evident at her 100th birthday which included over 300 guests. She loved a good party with dancing! While we are unable to mention each of you who played such an important part in Rosie’s life, please know each of you was loved by Rosie. A special thank you to Carl Smith and Elizabeth Atkins for visiting her almost daily for coffee and Italian cookies and also her dear friend Kay Crawford who shared her love for the Jazz; the two would call each other after every game to critique them.

Rosie is survived by her daughters Jean Tonti, Loreta (Steve Woodward deceased), Mary (Glenn Miller); grandchildren Niki (Christian) Barwick, Stephanie (Tom) Franken, Michael Woodward (Bret Morrell), and James Miller; great-grandchildren Lydia and Domenic Franken, Vincent and Luca Barwick. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother Michael Colaizzi who died during WWII.

Holy Rosary will be held on Thursday, August 24th at 6 p.m., with viewing to follow until 8:30 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 E. 5550 S., South Ogden. Funeral Mass will be Friday, August 25th at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers it was Rosie’s wish to purchase a Cross in her memory to Holy Family Catholic Church. You can venmo @Mary-Miller-114, or write a check to Holy Family. Donations can also be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Schools.

Buona sera, ti voglio bene, ci vediamo! (Good night, I love you very much, see you soon!) We love you always and forever and know your memories, wisdom, and example will live on in everyone you have touched.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Rosie’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com, where the full obituary can be viewed and condolences may also be shared.