Rose Madonna DeCesare, 98, of Hamden, died peacefully in the early morning hours on Oct. 4, 2024, at Hamden Health Care, less than a month short of her 99th birthday. She was the wife of the late Mauro Fred “Rip” DeCesare. She was born in New Haven on Nov. 3, 1925, to the late Francesco and Giovanna DeCrescenzo Madonna. She lovingly cared for her parents and husband until their final days.

Rose lived in Fair Haven for most of her life, having graduated from Commercial High School and then working as an assembler at the New Haven Clock Shop. A devout Catholic, she was a parishioner of St. Donato Church in New Haven, a member of the Altar Society, and was one of a group of volunteers that made palm crosses every year at Easter time. Rose loved to crochet afghans for everyone. She was very proud of her work, knowing they gave warmth to the people she loved. Rose was a deeply kind, open-hearted person who made friends easily and who always had others in her prayers. She had a beautiful smile and joyful laugh, and loved to sing along with her goddaughter Pamela Madonna Siela.

She was a loving mother to Roxanne (Ron) Mongillo and Deborah (late Pasquale) DiChello. She adored her grandchildren, Elizabeth Mongillo-Herman and Amanda (James) Salzano and her great-grandchildren, Audrey and Hazel Salzano and Caleb and Aviana Herman. She was predeceased by a brother, Philip (late Pauline), Madonna.

Share a memory by visiting Rose’s Tribute page at www.iovanne.com. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. is in care of her arrangements.