Rosemary Fanta

Rosemary Fanta, of LaGrange Park was born into eternal life surrounded by family on the evening of Sunday, March 19th. Beloved wife of Frank. Loving mother of Elizabeth (Carmelo) Torrisi, Christopher (Jennifer), and Catherine (Charles) Stich. Cherished grandmother of Jacqueline and Juliette Lopez, Gessica and Gianna Torrisi, Jaden, Adysen, and Kaylen Fanta, Charlie and Audrey Stich. Fond sister of Martha Chorné, Evangeline Velarde, the late Ramiro Gonzales, and the late Adam Gonzalez. Adored sister-in-law of Donna and Jeff Palumbo, and vivacious aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Rosemary was known by many names, Maria del Rosario (birth given), Chaya (friends), and Yaya (grandkids). Rosemary always welcomed everyone in with open arms, love, laughter, and a plate of tamales. Even though she fought with the Alexa Echo, when she eventually got it to play her salsa music, she would only stop dancing to make a meal for her loved ones. She loved hosting Halloween parties, shopping at T.J. Maxx and resale shops, and her sister- in- laws potato salad. Her migas, enchiladas, lemon cookies, and waffles with ice cream will be greatly missed. Her relationship with God inspired those around her and shaped her into the loving woman she was. No one was prepared to suffer this loss so soon, and her absence will be greatly felt on Sunday evenings as her family gathers for their traditional Sunday dinner.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made at https://www.lls.org/

Visitation 3 to 9pm on Thursday, March 23rd at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family and friends to meet at the funeral home at 9:15am on Friday, March 24th for a prayer service and procession to St. Francis Xavier Church, LaGrange for a 10am Funeral Mass. Burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside to follow. Funeral information: 708-352-6500

16 Replies to “Rosemary Fanta”

  1. Beautifully said! We grieve with you all! She will be so so missed! And she did make the best tamales and chicken soup – of which she lavished on us with love and care just when we needed it the most! Love you all! Tim and Sheryl

  2. So many travels
    So much love
    I will never find anyone like you Rose again

    I know
    I can’t believe I’m in Paris either!

  3. Probably one of the kindest humans around. Rest in peace Mrs Fanta and condolences to the family.

  4. Ahh, Dear Cousin Rosie~ Such a pleasant person to have known, you’ll be fondly missed~
    Our condolences to all in your Family~

    Love, Mike, Cheryl, Tim, and Rick Olson

  5. I will greatly miss my dancing partner; but as I always said, we would one day be dancing in that great ballroom in the sky. Rest in peace my beautiful sister. I shall miss you tremendously and I will never forget the great times we shared. All the joy and laughter that you generated will always be in my heart. I love you dear sister.

  6. What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that Chaya was part of our family. Her shining personality will live on in our hearts and memories. Sending love, thoughts and prayers to all during this tough time..

  7. We loved Rose! She will be sorely missed by many people. Rose lit up the room every time she entered. She sure knew how to love. She was always happy to be surrounded by family. Rose made us feel like part of her family. She was taken way too soon. Rest assured there’s another angel in heaven. RIP Rose. You were a beautiful flower 🌹

  8. My deepest sympathies to Chaya’s entire family, Husband Frank, Children, Grandchildren, Sisters. I was very sad to hear of her passing she was so sweet and kind, I fondly loved watching her dance with her Sister Eva, she always had a beautiful smile and kind words.
    She was a good friend to my Sister Ramona, who I’m sure will be one of people waiting to welcome her into paradise.. I pray the cherished moments you shared with her comfort you through the difficult days and God send you strength. May the perpetual light shine upon her always.
    With love

  9. Deepest sympathies to you Chris and the rest of the family. Sounds like an amazing human being that will be missed dearly. May she rest peacefully.

  10. So sorry to hear of your loss. Rose was so warm and friendly. She was always so warm and genuine. Sending healing love and prayers to your family. Marie & Aaron Mauter

  11. I’ll treasure the memories of being with Rose: her laugh, her wit, her grace and her kindness. I’m so very sorry. My deepest condolences to her entire family and to all who were lucky enough to have known her. She was a jewel. To my Paris travel mate Catherine, I send my love.

  12. Dear Chaya: We write this to you because we know and have faith that you are in the loving presence of God and can know see all things better than we who are here grieving our loss of you! A giant whole has been left in our hearts by our loss of you, because we will not be able to ever hold you in our arms again to tell you how much we love you, dance with you, joke with you, play charades with you, toast a drink at the Christmas and New Year parties or eat your wonderful cooking. We only know God knows best and that he has brought you home with Him, to celebrate a life well lived and to enjoy the company of all our friends that have gone before us! Therefore, we can only quote what Helen Steiner Rice said, “Friendship is a priceless gift that can’t be bought or sold, But its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold, for gold is cold and lifeless, It cannot see or hear, And in your times of trouble,
    It is powerless to cheer. It has no ears to listen No heart to understand.
    It cannot bring you comfort, Or reach out a helping hand. So when you ask God for a gift, Be thankful that he sends, Not diamonds, pearls, or riches, But the love of a real, true friend.
    YOU are our LOVE and true Friend!
    Helen and Abe Metoyer

  13. The Tom Blondis family sends our love and prayers for the Fanta family at this time of great sadness. We remember Rose as a warm, welcoming and gracious hostess and a proud mother and grandmother of a lovely family who reflects their matriarch’s values. May Rose be at peace and add a beautiful light to heaven. God’s peace be with you all.

  14. One of my ministries at St. Francis Xavier
    is as an usher since 2010. This is how
    I got to know Frank and Rosemary.
    Two of the nicest people I always
    had so much joy talking to. I always
    had pleasure with our fun loving
    conversations when we greeted and
    said good bye. Rosemary, I will miss your
    warm embrace.
    My condolences to Frank and
    your beautiful family. God I know appreciated your attendance at His
    table every Sunday to witness the
    memory of the Consecration of His Body
    and Blood. I will always acknowledge where
    you sat with Frank at church and offer
    up a prayer for you. You are in my heart
    forever.

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