We’re sad to announce the passing of Rose Marie Finnerty Shapiro who was a dear wife, mother, mother-in-law, Nonna, sister, aunt, godmother, friend, and so much more. In November, 2019 she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that was attacking her lungs. On November 14, 2020, she left this world to find peace. We know that she’s watching over us, dancing with her sister Joanne, and finally breathing easy.

She grew up in Brooklyn with her seven brothers and sisters – Bobby, Tommy, Charlie, Maryanne, Christine, Virgina, Joanne –  received a catholic school education, and had an intense appetite for independence. So close in age, Joanne, Maryanne, and Rose were often called “the triplets”, doing dance recitals, running to catch the subway, and getting into other shenanigans on city streets. She cherished the time with her many nieces and nephews, holding unique relationships with each one over the years and was very special to them. The desire to spread her wings, try new things, and constantly redecorate the house would stick with her always.

She was a loyal and beloved member of her chosen family in Melissa, Chet, Nick, and Liliana, a team who helped one another navigate first apartments in NYC, parenthood, death of loved ones, and all of the ups and downs life would throw their way.

In 1974, working in the jewelry industry in Midtown Manhattan, she met the love of her life, Mike / Majek. Over the next 46 years, their adventures would include travelling the globe – including Spain, Italy, and Greece in the 70s on pennies a day -  moving from Brooklyn to the suburbs in NJ (when Rose finally got a driver’s license) and raising two daughters, Jennifer and Natalie.  In Mike, she also gained the warmth and love of Pola, Benjamin, Halina, Andrzej, Margie, Sarah, Scott, Robert, Talia, Sophia, Joseph, and Leah. Her chosen family also grew when Mike introduce Mishka and Melka into her life.

Professionally, Rose tried on many hats, from in-home ceramics studio to group home manager for adults with developmental disabilities. Throughout her explorations, helping people was at the center of it all. She was a fierce advocate for those who didn’t have a strong voice, including working so that students with disabilities could attend traditional classrooms and helping adults with disabilities enter the workforce with fairness and dignity. She was a self-taught sign language interpreter – her true passion – which was core to how she helped people. Some of her proudest community moments included being President Bill Clinton’s sign language interpreter during his 2000 address in South Brunswick and serving as interpreter for Meryl Streep’s commencement address for the University of New Hampshire’s class of 2003, Jennifer’s college graduation.

A creative spirit and mixed-media artist throughout, Rose turned back to her drawings in recent years and amassed a body of work that hangs proudly in the homes of almost everyone she saw – she would give away her drawings to family and friends regularly. These drawings will continue to occupy entire walls of the home she shared with Mike. Mike and Rose’s Friday night tradition of making appetizers, drinking wine, and listening to music (inevitably some Journey and Foreigner would appear) continued until her last days. Her cooking will be missed by all who have had the pleasure to taste it. When Jennifer moved back to Brooklyn in 2010, Rose bonded with the new generation of Brooklyn residents in South Slope and was a regular at many a dance party over the years. Her presence on the dancefloor at birthday parties and other celebrations will be missed in the neighborhood. 

Her granddaughter, Romi (1), provided constant sunshine during the dark times of the last year. Rose embraced her role as Nonna full throttle and would not let any calls or visit end without singing Rafi's Mr. Sun. We’ll all work to keep Rose’s memory alive and strong so that Romi will know her Nonna’s spirit well.

Cheers, to a woman who knew how to have fun, who overcame adversity at every turn of life, and who is so deeply loved – and missed – by her family, especially Mike, Natalie, Paul, Jennifer, Dan, and Romi.