Rosemarie Ann Weller

Rosemarie Ann Weller, age 92, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on June 1, 2023. 

She was born August 16, 1930, in Rockford, IL to Peter and Caterina “Adeline” (Geraci) Salamone. Rosemarie attended St. Anthony of Padua Grade School and graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School in 1948. She married Rodney C. Weller on January 27, 1951…whom she would spend the next 72 years of her life with. Their commitment to each other was so strong they renewed their vows for their 50th anniversary in a chapel in San Antonio, Texas while vacationing.

Rosemarie, a lifelong parishioner of St. Anthony Church, was very devoted to her faith and her parish. She would often lead the congregation in the rosary prior to mass. Prayer was where she got her strength saying the rosary every day. She had so many rosaries around her home that any person who visited her home would rarely leave without being offered a rosary even if they weren’t Catholic. Rosemarie was also an active member of the St. Anthony’s Altar and Rosary Society. She also washed the parish linens and was a Eucharistic minister at church as well as to the homebound and those living in nursing homes. Sharing the Eucharistic Ministry with others was her passion. Rosemarie’s spirit of volunteerism reached out beyond her parish and into the community as well. She donated her time in the surgical waiting room at St. Anthony Hospital where she volunteered for over ten years. Rosemarie also served as an election judge for Winnebago County. She loved being of service to others and so many felt blessed to have had her in their life. Rosemarie will be remembered for her kindness and gentleness toward everyone and will be missed beyond measure by all who loved her. She truly lived the life Jesus preached. Rosemarie, as all Italians, was deeply rooted in family. There is no doubt she is truly at peace now that she is reunited with her sisters, Gina, Mamie, and Adeline, and her mama and daddy.

Rosemarie was an avid angel collector and dedicated an entire room and backyard of their home to angels. She was also very proud of her Italian heritage and was an active member of the Sicilian Ladies Club. Rosemarie worked for the Winnebago County Clerk’s office, the Winnebago Assessor’s Office, and served as County Board secretary for many years until her retirement.

Rosemarie will be dearly missed by her husband, Rod; her children, Joe (Karen) Weller and Mary (Jim) Blaser; grandchildren, Beth (Mike Spence), Lindsay Weller (Brian Doughty), Sarah (Mike) Lotko, and Annie Blaser; great grandchildren Haley (Tommy) Koulianos, Samantha (Alex) Williams, Aubrey and Teagan Doughty, Sophia, Max, and Sienna Lotko; sister-in-law, Janet Henert, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law, Gina (Bill) Mautino, Mamie (Orvus) Helgerson, and Adeline (Sam) Armato.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson St. Rockford, IL 61102. Burial to follow at Arlington Memorial Park, Rockford, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Rosemarie may be made to St. Anthony Church or Carpenter’s Place 1149 Railroad Ave. Rockford, IL 61104.

Say not in grief that she is no more but live in thankfulness that she was. Old Hebrew Proverb.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com