Rose M. Cuocolo

Rose M. Cuocolo  1941 - 2021

Wilmington, Delaware

Mrs. Rose M. (Papa) Cuocolo, age 80, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.Born on January 2, 1941, Rose was the tenth of 12 children to Pietro and Domenica Papa.  She was raised on 6th Street in Wilmington, Delaware, in the home alongside the family’s food market.  Rose attended St. Thomas the Apostle grade school, Padua Academy high school, and Goldey-Beacom College.In 1964, Rose married Joseph M. Cuocolo, who grew up nearby,  and together they started a family and raised five children. 

Rose was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend who truly made her house a home to all.  Her Catholic faith, family and education were very important to her.  She loved being with her children and grandchildren, her brothers and sisters, and her nieces and nephews.  She loved her neighborhood, all the families there, and watching the children grow up together.  She enjoyed family gatherings, taking pictures, beach vacations, listening to music and singing, going for car rides, and funny TV shows.  She enjoyed sitting around a table or talking on the phone sharing stories and laughing with family and friends, and the simple joy of just being together.Rose was a wonderful cook who found happiness in watching her family enjoy her meals and always enjoyed sharing her food with others.  She truly found joy in taking care of others and had a special place in her heart for the less fortunate.

Rose was a lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church and a parish volunteer for many years.Rose was predeceased by her parents, Pietro and Domenica Papa; her husband of 47 years, Joseph M. Cuocolo, who passed away in 2011; her sisters Mary Papa and Josephine DiStefano; and her brothers Vincent (Jimmy) and Ralph Papa.

Rose will be dearly missed by her children Michael Cuocolo, Joseph M. Cuocolo Jr., Dr. David Cuocolo, John Cuocolo and his wife Kathryn, Dr. Maria (Cuocolo) Mancuso and her husband Dr. Mark Mancuso, and her six grandchildren Jack, Joseph, Michael, Aidan, Anna, and Gianna all of whom she loved and cherished with all her heart.  She is also survived by her sisters Nellie Papa, Carmelina DaVia, Jennie May, and Anita Clark, and her brothers Dominic, Peter, and Marco Papa.Rose touched many lives and will always be remembered for her love and kindness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 5, at 12 noon at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 9th & DuPont St. Wilmington, DE. 19805 where family and friends may call after 11am.  Interment is scheduled for 2pm at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. 19701.

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