December 25, 1932 – May 29, 2024
Rosalie Putignano, age 91, of Lansing, IL, passed away at home on May 29, 2024. She was the loving mother to Michael (Paula) Putignano, Phillip Putignano, and Marietta (Kevin King) Putignano. She was the loving sister to Gloria (Robert) Starke, and Anthony (Mary Lou) Caronna. She was the loving aunt to Steven (Lan) Starke, and Trish, Joe, and Roxanne Putignano, Mike (Claudia) Putignano, and Anthony Jr, Dina, and Lisa Caronna. Rosalie was a shining light to the children in her life. She was the sweetest great grandma to Lia Hawkins, and adored G.G. to Finch Rhodes. She was beloved godmother to Kippy Alderson, and she was adopted as grandmother by the kids next door, Isabella, Kamila, and Aldo. And the cousins. So. Many. Cousins.
Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband Phillip Putignano, her parents Anthony and Mary Caronna, her sister Marietta Caronna, her sister Angela Norton, and her brothers-in-law Dave Norton and Robert Starke.
Rosalie grew up in Chicago where she became a lifelong fan of accordionist Dick Contino, garnering the nickname “Rowdy Ro.” After meeting Phil, the love of her life, they moved to Lansing, IL and expanded their family. Family was everything to Rosalie, and her love was deep and unconditional. She was a dancer by nature and a 411 directory assistance operator by profession. She enjoyed singing and dancing with her husband as members of the Jack and Jill Club. In their younger days, the two could captivate audiences with an impressive jitterbug, among other dances, and also performed in theatre productions together. When their kids were in grade school, Rosalie directed the Coolidge School talent shows for over a decade, and loved sprinkling in some of her own choreography to the dance numbers. Ro and Phil continued
to perform together any time an opportunity presented itself, and they encouraged and inspired their kids to follow their artistic bliss.
Ro expanded her creative talents to baking, and enjoyed creating beautiful cakes for local weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. At one point it became a family affair when Ro received over 70 orders for Easter cakes, and Phil and the kids jumped in to help decorate and box the cakes. But if you ask any of the kids’ friends, the best perk of her baking was the coveted cake scraps.
After retiring, Rosalie found a passion for jewelry with Park Lane, where she rose to Regional Manager status, being awarded with diamonds and travel to destinations like Cancun. In 2011, Rosalie joined the Lansing Junior Woman’s Club and never looked back. She found great camaraderie and fulfillment in the group, fundraising, and serving her community. The annual spaghetti dinner was officially renamed “Mama Rosalie’s Spaghetti Dinner” in 2013. The club will lovingly continue to use the recipe to her secret marinara sauce for years to come. She was instrumental in organizing the annual LJWC Veterans Dinner and was awarded the Special Volunteer Award in 2013 and 2018.
Rosalie’s joie de vivre was contagious. Her positive outlook and spirited sense of humor made her easy to be around, and she loved to entertain. Her vibrant life force sparkled. She was sensible, open minded, had the patience of a saint, and was always willing to listen to other points of view. Her joyous heart was truly loving and kind. Even as she faced great physical hardships in the last year of her life, she always woke with a warm smile. She loved the sunshine, all animals, classic movies, sweet red wine, a great cup of coffee, and fabulous shoes.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Rosalie on June 23, 2024 at the Schroeder Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a short service immediately following. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Rosalie’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
