Martha Rose LaFemina

October 3, 1926 - June 28, 2025

Affectionately known by family and friends as Rosie, she passed away peacefully in her sleep due to the results of aging and a tiring heart.

Rosie was the daughter of Italian immigrants Louis and Marie (Gargiulo) Iacoponi and she retained a lifelong love of Italian food, music and culture. She grew up in Brooklyn as their youngest child along with her siblings Anthony (Matilda), Frank (Virginia), and Natalie (Jerry Criscuolo). In Brooklyn, she developed lifelong friendships with her cousin Millie Procida (nee Russo) and eventual sister-in-law Mildred Belanich (LaFemina). Rosie was the last survivor of this group.

Rosie married Albert LaFemina in 1948 in Brooklyn. They had 3 children, Robert, Anne (Vincent Sullivan), and Michael (Margaret Kennedy). They lived in the LaFemina brownstone in Brooklyn until it was sold in 1978. She then became a homeowner, moving her parents and children to Staten Island. After her children married and her parents passed away, Nellie and Jerry Criscuolo moved into the Staten Island house. The house was the site of many fabulous family dinners, but eventually time caught up with Rosie. She moved to Fishkill with Anne and Vinny in 2017 and adapted to a quieter way of living. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren, Kerry, Michael, and David (Meaghan Crowley) Sullivan and in her great-grandchildren Cettie and Kip. Rosie is also survived by many nieces, nephews, family and friends. In Rosie's passing, she is reunited with her son Michael who pre-deceased her.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday July 12th, 2025 at 10 am at St. Columba Church, followed by interment at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Agrey Brown who lovingly assisted with Rosie's care in her final year, and to all at Hudson Valley Hospice, especially Neale, for the compassionate care provided.

Please consider a donation in Rosie's memory to Hudson Valley Hospice www.hvhospice.org