Rosemarie Sponzo Loalbo

Rosemarie (Sponzo) Loalbo, 97, of Naples, Florida, summer resident of Niantic, Connecticut and formerly of West Hartford, Connecticut passed away peacefully at her summer residence at the Black Point Beach Club surrounded by her family. Referred to by her mother as a Christmas baby, Rosemarie was born on December 27, 1926, the youngest of six children, in Hartford, Connecticut and was raised in Windsor, Connecticut. She graduated from the Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1944 and went on to study education at the University of St. Joseph, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1948 and later earning a Master’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University. She taught elementary school in Hartford and later in West Hartford where she often spoke of her great love of teaching young students. In 1950, she met her life partner and best friend, George Loalbo. Their 73-year romance had a memorable beginning-- in a hospital room, where Rosemarie had been taken unexpectedly the night before following an appendicitis attack that cancelled their first planned, blind date. George’s mom, Julia, wisely insisted that her son visit Rosemarie, whom he had yet to meet, with flowers. Their connection was instant and on August 25, 1951, Rosemarie and George were married and began their 73-year marriage and very special life together. Rosemarie and George raised their two children in West Hartford, Connecticut. They went on to have four grandchildren, and for Rosemarie, her family was her source of endless pride and joy. She and George moved to Naples, Florida, where they formed lifetime friendships. She particularly relished her summers at Black Point Beach Club with her family, her sisters and many friends. Rosemarie was a supporter and advocate of the arts; she and George collected antiques and paintings over many years. She was a frequent visitor at the Artis Naples, and a member of the Italian Cultural Society in Naples, Florida. In Connecticut, she enjoyed attending events at the Florence Griswold Museum, the Lyme Art Association and the New Britain Museum of Fine Art. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed sharing books. She was member of the Vistas Book Club in Naples. On the athletic side, Rosemarie was a member of the Country Club of Naples, where she played golf weekly until a few years ago. Rosemarie was an ardent and unapologetic New York Yankees fan and made her loyalty and her commitment to the team quite clear. She was known to spar with family and friends who did not support her team, but she welcomed them nevertheless into her home at Black Point for countless outdoor impromptu cocktail hours, “for a dram” that were filled with love and laughter. Rosemarie was predeceased by her infant twin sons, and her parents, John and Rose (Cammarano) Sponzo. She was also predeceased by her five siblings and their spouses, Philomena and Sebastian Giuliano, James and Adeline Sponzo, Mary and Charles Varca, Agnes and Frank Bonelli, and Michael and Elizabeth Sponzo, her nieces Carol Bonelli Basile and Marianne Bonelli, and nephews John, Joseph and Thomas Sponzo. In addition to her husband, George, she is survived by her children Anita (Loalbo) Schepker and her husband James of Niantic, Connecticut, her son, Mark Loalbo and his wife Patricia Klaje of Hamden, Connecticut; grandchildren Kristen Schepker and her husband Andrew Blanton of Whitefish, Montana; Caroline Schepker and her husband Gregory Spiers of Durham, New Hampshire; Matthew Loalbo of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Michael Loalbo of Cary, North Carolina; and a special great-niece, Alexia Basile of Newington, Connecticut. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. There will be a Celebration of Life Mass at the Church of Saint Peter Claver in West Hartford, Connecticut on December 7, 2024 at 11:00 am, a church where Rosemarie and George were among the founding-member families. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Rosemarie’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Lisa Knoll, APRN, and the special support of Dr. Rolf Knoll and his wife Beverly. And to the special aides of Home Health Care Services of Connecticut, who treated Rosemarie with such kindness and professionalism, we extend our deepest thanks. And finally, to the many friends in Naples, Florida, and Black Point, the family is most indebted for your support during Rosemarie’s last months. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in Rosemarie’s name to her alma mater, the University of Saint Joseph, Development Office, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Harford Connecticut, 06117, or the Italian Cultural Society, 3200 Bailey Lane, #199, Naples, Florida, 34105. Expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.mollyfuneralhome.com

Rosemarie Sponzo Loalbo

October 17, 2024