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Rose (Rosie) Tonti

Sept. 2, 1921 ~ Aug. 18, 2023

La Dolce Vita! (The Sweet Life!)

A centennial mother, grandmother “Nonna,” great-grandmother “Nonina,” and a friend to everyone she met, Rosie was born in San Pietro Avellana, Italy on September 2, 1921 to Joseph and Loreta Colaizzi.  WWII broke out and soon her town was bombed and her family became refugees. Her family’s dream was to move to America, and the dream became a reality in 1950 when they settled in Ogden.  

She married her childhood sweetheart, Domenic Tonti, at St. Joseph Church in Ogden on March 31, 1951. They were eager to learn English and in 1956 they became citizens; from that day forward, her motto was “God Bless America!”  

Rosie worked as a seamstress at Utah Tailoring Mills for 45 years and retired at age 80. They had three daughters who all attended St. Joseph Catholic Schools: Jean Tonti, Loreta (Steve, deceased) Woodward and Mary (Glenn) Miller. She also had four grandchildren who attended St. Joseph Schools and four great-grandchildren who attend St. Joseph Elementary. She was a member of the original St. Joseph Catholic High School Athletic Booster’s Club.  

Rosie was an avid Jazz fan, and you knew never to call her during a Jazz game. Last fall, at age 101, she had a cameo in the movie “Devil’s Men,” a true story of the American soldiers Black Devil’s Brigade who helped liberate her town during WWII. She said, “See, you’re never too old to do what you want!”

For everyone who was a part of Rosie’s life, please know you were loved by her.  Rosie was involved in many ministries at St. James the Just Catholic Church in Ogden and attended daily Mass and adoration. At the time of her death, she was an active member of CCW at Holy Family Catholic Church and Promoters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When asked what her secret was to a long life, she replied, “God first.”  

A funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Erik Richtsteig, Father Joseph Minuth, Father Eleazar Silva, Father Donald Hope and Father Charles Cummins. In lieu of flowers, it was Rosie’s wish to purchase a monstrance for Holy Family Catholic Church. Donations may be made to Holy Family in Ogden in Rosie’s name. “Buona sera, ti voglio bene, ci vediamo!” (Good night, I love you very much, see you soon!) Your memories, wisdom and example will live on in everyone you have touched.