Rose Gambardella Sansonetti, age 82, of Stratford, beloved wife of the late Thomas Sansonetti, entered into eternal peace on Friday, April 5, 2019, at her home, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Rose was born in Bridgeport on September 27, 1936. She was the youngest child of the late Pontaleone and Therese Gambardella.

Rose and Tom married in January 1963 (they swear the temperature was in the 60s) and settled on Whitney Avenue in the North End of Bridgeport, where they raised their three sons and hosted too many events to count. During this time, Rose took great pride in working tirelessly to make sure all the needs of her four men were completely taken care of, and a hot meal was waiting on the table at the end of every day.

When the boys got older, Rose worked for the Bridgeport school lunch program, with approximately ten years of service at Central High School and ten years at Blackham School. Rose was a great cook, and her greatest joy came during the holidays when she gathered the entire family around her dining room table for a holiday feast that she prepared from start to finish.

Rose was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member at St Patrick’s Parish. It was at St Patrick’s where she volunteered for numerous events, was a regular attendee at Tuesday night bingo, and made many special friendships that she maintained throughout her life.

In addition to her husband, Rose was predeceased by her five siblings, Nat Gambardella, Anthony Gambardella, Louis Gambardella, Marie Gambardella, and Connie Tuozzoli.

Rose is survived by her three sons, John Sansonetti and his wife, Grace, of Newtown; Tom Sansonetti, Jr, and his wife, Lori, of Bridgeport; and James Sansonetti and his wife, Andrea, of Black Rock; and five cherished grandchildren, Juliana, Luke, Gianna, Jay, and Kaidyn. In addition, she is survived by brothers-in-law, Daniel Gombos and Andimo Rossi; sister-in-law, Delores Sansonetti; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Our family would like to thank Rose’s doctors and caregivers, especially Natalie Fedorova, who provided constant compassionate care for the past two years.

Friends were invited to meet directly in St Andrew Church, 435 Anton Street, Bridgeport, on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 11 am for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment followed in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and Friends called on Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Notre Dame Catholic High School, 220 Jefferson Street, Fairfield CT 06825.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit abriola.com.