Rose Antoinette Ronkese, 99, passed away courageously and peacefully at her home in New Hamburg March 7, 2018. Born November 13, 1918 in Hyde Park, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Maria Civita Simeone Camelio. Rose moved to New Hamburg when she was 4 years old, As a young girl,she helped her father water the tomato seeds in his hotbed which he started every February 22. She, in turn, saved her earned money to get a permanent for her hair in Poughkeepsie. She was known for swimming and ice skating across the Hudson River, where on the ice her love story began, meeting her husbans S. Joseph Ronkese from Cedar Cliff. He would buy only one of her tickets to the local Valentine's Dance if he would escort her. They were married on December 2, 1945 at St. Mary's Church, after a 4 year daily writing courtship when he was serving in Europe during WWII. She attended school in New Hamburg and Beacon, wrote gossip articles for the Beacon Newspaper, and was a member and past president of the New Hamburg Yacht Club Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls, and belonged to St. Mary's Mothers Guild, and St.Mary's choir. She was involved with her community, as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society ans as a member of the Town of Poughkeepsie Office of the Aging exercise program. She worked for the New Hamburg Post Office, and was employed by IBM for 25 years.She was often seen driving her red Chevy pickupp truck, attending local block parties, events at the New Hamburg Yacht Club and the New Hamburg Fire House and on Thursdays playing Mexican Dominos with her cherished girlfriends at the New Hamburg Yacht Club. At her exercise group, she was in charge of parties and often led the group. She received many phone calls and questions as an unofficial historianof New Hamburg and had many photos of the community. She leaves behind many memories and was an idol and inspiration to many. She is survived by her son Joseph Ronkese and wife MaryAnn of Gramsville, N.Y., her daughter JoAnn Larese and husband Joe of Cold Spring, N.Y., grandsons Christopher Ronkese and wife Andrea of Belchertown, MA, Matthew Ronkese and wife Amy of West Hartford, CT, Dr. Joseph Larese of Saint Louis, MO, and granddaughter Jennifer Larese of NYC; great grandchildren, Ava, Gia, Harper and HarlowRonkese; brother-in-law Bruno Ronkese of Marlboro, N.Y.; many dear nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews, and a great-great-great nephew; and so many otherswho fondly called her Aunt Rose.She was predeceased by her parents Salvatore and Maria Civita Camelio; her husband S. Joseph Ronkese; all of her sisters and brothers: Jennie Camelio, Josephine(ed) Becker, Mary(Zoomie) Galli, Marguerite(Bart) LoSchiavo, Raymond and James Camely, her nieces Rose Marie Galli, Michele(Galli) Gallagher, great nieces Lynn(Perusse) Blood, and Alicia LoSchiavo. Friends may call at the Delehanty Funeral Home 64 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls, Sunday 2 to 6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday at 11:00 AM at St. Marys Church, 11 Clinton St., Wappingers Falls. Burial St. Marys Cemetery. The family would like to thank friends and family for their beautiful cards, gifts, and meals; Dr. Schneider and his wonderful staff for care for many years; Hospice of the Hudson Valley; the caring staff at Elant at Fishkill; and the wonderful, caring home aides. Special thanks for all the help from Jack, Ed and Harry. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Hudson Valley. To send a condolence or for directions, visit www.delehantyfuneral.com

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