Rose Alfonso

ROSE ALFONSO, 94, passed away peacefully with family on January 29, 2007 at Corland Care Center in Cortland, New York.

Rose was born December 4, 1912 in New York City to Joseph and Rosa Montllor. She was educated in Barcelona, Spain, and graduated from Merchants and Bankers' Business School in New York City in 1931. Rose worked as a bilingual secretary for Grace Line Export-Import Business in New York City from 1933 to 1941, and was fluent in five languages.

On July 15, 1940, she married Joseph Alfonso in New York City, and had two children, Joseph and Margaret. Throughout their marriage they lived in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, in 1973, a son, Dr. Joseph Alfonso in 1988, a brother, Joseph Montllor in 1993, a sister, Carmen Montllor in 1992, and a sister, Frances Cacheiro in 2006.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Rich of Cortland, New York, and is lovingly remembered as "Yaya" by her grandchildren who also survive her, Patrick Rich of Cortland, Maria (Jeffery) Montesano of Freeville, Ross Alfonso, John (Brandy) Alfonso, Eve Alfonso (Todd DuVal), Jo-Elizabeth Alfonso of Richmond, Virginia. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Elena, Mark, Austin, Rayna, Joseph and Cary, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She enjoyed musicals, sewing and traveling to Europe, particularly her beloved Spain. She passionately told stories of her travels to her grandchildren, whose lives were forever bettered by hearing of her travels, and absorbing her principles. She will always be remembered in our hearts.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cortland Care Center for their excellent care and support.

She was a member of Holy Cross Church in Freeville.

The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Flushing, New York. Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden, NY assisted the family.