Obituary of Rosa Lombardo

Rosa was born Rosa Cataldo in Bagheria, Sicily in November, 1929. She was the second youngest in a family of three boys and two girls. She learned to sew at a very young age and became a very talented seamstress. She married Leonardo Lombardo in October, 1952 in their hometown of Bagheria. After their marriage, they moved to East New York, Brooklyn. Soon after that, they moved to Elmont, NY, where they would enjoy spending the rest of their lives. Rosa and Leonardo returned to their birthplace of Bagheria many times with their daughter Rosemary and enjoyed the summers there with their family. Rosa also worked many years in her husband’s family's business, Lombardo Shoe Repair, in New Hyde Park. She held several roles in that business on a daily basis, helping to expand it to a thriving business of 50 stores on Long Island and in the greater NY area. Rosa was an excellent cook and could create a feast for many in no time. She also shared her passion for cooking with others. Rosa enjoyed playing various card games tremendously, and was a force to be reckoned with! She was a mother to Rosemary, a grandmother to Domenico, an aunt to many, and a godmother to some 22 godchildren. Rosa Lombardo was -- and is -- well loved, and will never be forgotten.