BIOGRAPHY

Rosalie Esposito was born in Ansonia, Connecticut, USA, on 11 February 1907, to parents Antonio and Domenica Messina who were immigrants from Sicily. She had three sisters: Wilhelmina Monde, Grace Vegliante, Anna Messina, as well as two brothers: Anthony and Joseph Messina. She and her family moved to the New Haven area during her teenage years.

In 1933, she married Joseph P. Esposito. Rosalie dedicated many years to working as a tailor at some of the finest men’s stores near Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, including Fein and Feinstein and Ensons. However, family was always her top priority. She was a devoted mother and a former Brownie and Girl Scout leader. In her free time, she loved attending operas and Broadway shows. Singing and dancing were among her favorite hobbies, but sewing was her true passion.

Later, Rosalie and her family settled in East Haven, Connecticut, where she and her husband, Joe, became active members of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She was a proud Columbiette and a member of the Women’s Guild.

At the age of 100, Rosalie moved to Holland to live with her daughter, Dolores. She cherished attending Mass at St. Bede the Venerable Church and participated in their Bible Study Group for several years.

At the age of 108, she attributed her longevity to faith, family, and a balanced diet, emphasizing moderation. She shared her wisdom, saying, “The only advice I can give is to love one another as families should do, and your friends, too, should be loved and cared for.”

Esposito passed away at Pickering Manor Home in Newtown, on 2 May 2018, at the age of 111 years, 80 days. She was survived by her two children; Dolores M. Uphoff and Paul J. Esposito, as well as two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Eli Logan and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 27 March 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Bucks County Woman Celebrates 108th Birthday” – CBS Philly, 5 February 2015

* “Pickering Manor celebrates resident’s 110th birthday in Newtown Township” – PhillyBurbs.com, 10 February 2017

* Rosaria “Rosalie” Iola Esposito (Messina) obituary – Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home Inc.

GALLERY