Rose L. DeBellis DeGuilio, 82, died May 22 at her home in Southbury. She was the wife of Joseph DeGuilio. A longtime resident of Eastchester, N.Y., she was born in the Bronx, August 12, 1931, to Antoinette (Carrozza) and Charles DeBellis, Sr.

Besides her husband, she leaves to mourn her children Lucille LaPerch, and husband Michael, of Newtown, Billy, and his wife Isabel, of Stony Point, N.Y., and John of Cortland Manor, N.Y. She also leaves a rich legacy of goodness and love to her adored grandchildren, as well as one great-granddaughter. Besides her parents, her brother Charlie, and numerous aunts, uncle, cousins, and many dear friends preceded Mrs DeGuilio in death.

While raising a family she also found great joy working as a teacher aide in the Eastchester School District, mainly at the Waverly School.

She was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church as well as a devoted volunteer in the Eastchester community.

While living in Southbury, she was a founding member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 204 in Heritage Village, as well as a volunteer for the Southbury Food Bank.

Mrs DeGuilio loved music, dancing, cooking, knitting, and baking; but above all, what brought her the greatest happiness was being surrounded by her family. She grew up surrounded by her extended family who she truly loved and reflected upon often. She had a wonderful childhood and was a good and caring friend.

She was an extraordinary wife and mother and considered to be "absolute perfection" by her grandchildren. Through her extended illness she was overjoyed to celebrate the baptism of her great-granddaughter.

Her cooking, especially her eggplant Parmigiana, will be sorely missed by all those who were fortunate enough to partake in her signature dish.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Care for the comfort they provided to Mrs DeGuilio before she went to be with the Lord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, May 28, at 11 am, in Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South, Southbury. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.  Calling hours are scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm, in the chapel of Sacred Heart Church, and also Wednesday, from 9:30 until 10:30 am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home, 84 Oxford Road, Oxford CT 06478. 

Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury.