Rosalie J. Pinto

Rosalie Jeane Pinto

April 4, 1938 – January 7, 2026

With hopeful anticipation of her first sunrise from heaven, Rosalie left her son Christopher’s loving embrace in the early hours of Wednesday, January 7th, for her devoted husband James, exactly two years to the day after his passing, to be together again, after a lifetime of extraordinary blessings and countless memories that illuminated a life well-lived.

Born Rosalie Jeane Gargano on April 4, 1938, daughter of Harry & Josephine, she spent her days growing up on the streets of South Philadelphia with her older sister Anna Marie, always together, with epic sisterly adventures and days filled with joy and love. Summers were spent in North Wildwood, NJ, with endless sunshine, hopping the ocean waves along the water’s edge. As a teenager, the family moved to Mount Airy where she attended Germantown High School and finally, to Warminster, Bucks County, where life blossomed and her future came clearly into focus. Her first job was at Snellenberg’s Department Store at 11th and Market as a clerk; her love of retail and cosmetics became a career, as she proudly retired from Estee Lauder as a factory production manager. Even on the tough days, she could never say no to a trip to Boscov’s, even when she knew she had to endure her son waiting in the long line for Asher’s candy.

A stunning beauty, inside and out, she was the life of the party. She could always be found on the dance floor, always with the best dance moves, and always with her signature radiant smile. It was on the dance floor in early 1970 where she met her match, someone with an equally eponymous smile and a person who could keep up with her every move. His name was Jim, and they married in April 1973, choosing life together, always ready for the next song. That next song came in September of 1977 with the birth of her only son, Christopher, the light of all her days. Together, they had it all, because they had each other.

She loved her garden and found great hope in every bloom. Spending quality time with family and friends was a joy; if you were important to her, you knew it. One constant was music; she loved to sing and dance and passed that gift to her son. If music was playing, there was always a smile close behind. Love was the song that always played in her heart, one that she shared with so many along the way.

All are invited to celebrate Rosalie’s life and legacy on Saturday, January 17th at Saint Paul Catholic Church, 10th and Christian Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Friends and family will be received from 9:30 – 10:45 AM, with a funeral mass to celebrated at 11:00 AM. Free parking will be available in the lot directly across from St. Paul’s at Christopher Columbus Charter School, with additional (paid) parking available at the Italian Market Visitors Lot between 9th & 10th/Carpenter Sts. For more information about Saint Paul Parish, visit www.stpaulphilly.org

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rosalie’s honor to the Pennsylvania SPCA, 350 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134; visit them at https://www.pspca.org/tribute-memorial-gifts

Arrangements handled by Tomlinson Funeral Home, Bensalem, PA.