Rosemarie Marrantino, 82, passed away on Thursday, February 26, at her home in Colonie, New York. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 14, 1943 and was raised there.  She was the only child of hard-working parents.  Rosemarie’s mother was from Germany and came to the United States at the age of 15 able to speak English fluently.  Her father came to the United Stated at the age of two with his family from Italy.  Rosemarie was only 12 when she suffered the passing of her mother.  In that short time, Rosemarie learned a lot from her mother including her strong love for reading.

Young Rosemarie entered the Sisters of Mercy in Brooklyn where she taught elementary school for 12 years.  She moved up to the Capital Region when she was granted a one-year sabbatical.  During that first year, Rosemarie noted that when working with the homeless population, often men just wanted a bed in which to sleep.  However, many times women were in need of personal care items, were fleeing from a domestic violence situation, and were often with children.  Rosemarie made great strides with other volunteers to open the first homeless shelter in the Capitol Region for women: Mercy House!  Rosemarie served as the first director of Mercy House and implemented a 24-hour hotline for women in need.

Following her sabbatical, Rosemarie remained in the Capital Region. She rented an apartment on her own for the first time and gradually acquired furniture.  She worked hard for the Albany Medical Center during the overnight shift performing multiple tasks to assist the medical staff of the neonatal intensive care unit, delivery, and gynecology units.  This led to a promotion to day shift supervisor.  Next, she obtained a managerial position with Daughter of Sara where she was in charge of cleaning and safety, moved on to be director of Sheehy Manor, and soon was recruited by Albany International Airport where she was in charge of the overnight shift, training, and follow-ups of the entire cleaning staff.

Rosemarie was a member of a group dedicated to the restoration of Our Lady of Mercy Church building into what is now the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center.  The church had been built by Italian immigrants in 1922.  Before the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center even opened, Rosemarie and other volunteers met to put out a newsletter.  On the second day that it was opened she was volunteering at the front desk.  Since then, she has volunteered at their thrift store, for fundraisers, during special events, and has served as a museum guide.  She encourages us to visit and become a member of this local gem that continues to operate solely on volunteers:  https://americanitalianmuseum.org/index.html

Rosemarie has served many years with the Friends of the Library.  She regularly tended to the Book Nook at the Farmers Market in the Crossings.  This is another giving time that gave back to Rosemarie as she recalled meeting so many wonderful people who delightedly shared in her love of reading.

Rosemarie is survived by many cousins some of which are:  Salvatore Romano of Silver Spring, MD; Joseph Kopitz of Brooklyn, NY; John Kopitz of Bloomfield, NJ; Joseph Labruzzo of Camden, SC; Vincent Labuzzo of Toms River, NJ; and very close friends: Vera Frangella of Glenmont, NY; Janet Winn of Colonie, NY; as well as her four-legged love, Fluffy Boo!!