Rosalia Donagrico

Rosalia Donagrico

April 6, 1929 – April 19, 2025

With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the passing of Rosalia Donagrico, who left this world peacefully on April 19, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born on April 6, 1929, in Sicily, Rosalia brought with her to America a warmth, resilience, and quiet strength that defined her life and touched all who knew her. A professionally trained tailor in Sicily, she worked for many years as a skilled seamstress, her hands weaving not just fabric, but love and care into every stitch.

Since the 1960s, Rosalia made her home in the Greenbush neighborhood of Madison, where she became a beloved and familiar face. Whether she was tending to her cherished rose garden, baking fresh bread whose aroma would float down the street, or sitting on her front stoop greeting passersby with a smile, she was a true neighborhood treasure—a steady presence, a watchful guardian, and a gentle friend to all.

Rosalia had a remarkable gift for language, fluently speaking Italian, Albanian, and English, which helped her build bridges across cultures and generations. She was known for her kind heart, generous spirit, and endless hospitality—welcoming everyone into her home and heart with open arms. To many, she was more than just a grandmother—she was Nonna to all, especially to her daughter’s close friends Clara Barbosa, and Mary, Patty, and Cindy Kurns, who loved her like family.

She loved nothing more than a good hand of cards with company, a walk through the neighborhood, or the simple joy of watching the world go by from her stoop, where she became a symbol of continuity and comfort in a changing world.

Rosalia is survived by her devoted daughter Lucia, and her two loving grandsons, Charlie and Tommy, who will carry her memory forward with pride and deep affection. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a life well-lived.

Her spirit will continue to bloom in every rose, rise in the scent of warm bread, and echo in the voices of those who remember her stories and kindness. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 28 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, from 11 am until the time of the funeral service at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to share a meal with loved ones, tend a garden, or simply greet your neighbors—just as Rosalia would have.

Cress Funeral Home

608-238-3434