Lasting Memories

Rosemarie Marasciulo Giamalis
Feb. 18, 1935-Feb. 7, 2022
Palo Alto, California

Rosemarie Marasciulo Giamalis, 86, passed away surrounded by her loved ones, after a short battle with leukemia.

Rosemarie was born on February 18, 1935 in the small town of Girardville, Pennsylvania. When Rose was very young, her family moved to Philadelphia where Rose grew up surrounded by her large extended Italian family. Rose graduated from Germantown High School in 1953 and shortly after got her first job as a secretary. After some time out as a young mother, and in order to allow her husband to make a midlife career change, Rose went back to work outside the home at various companies until her retirement from the City of Palo Alto in 1995. In 1957, she met Peter Giamalis. They were married in 1958 and went on to have three daughters. In 1962, the family relocated from Pennsylvania to Palo Alto. As a young mother, Rose enjoyed spending time with her family – going on camping trips, being a Girl Scout leader, baking and craft projects. During this time, she was also very involved with the League of Women Voters and other local political organizations, and made many friends there. Rose was a woman of many interests and was always trying new things, such as Greek folk dancing, becoming fluent in Italian and taking up soccer in her 40s. She enjoyed the symphony, the opera and museums; cooking for her family and friends; supplying many correct answers in Jeopardy!; needlecrafts; and socializing with her many friends. She was a voracious reader, an avid Warriors and Giants fan and a valued volunteer at the Friends of the Palo Alto Library for over ten years.

Rose adored her eight grandchildren, and her family meant the world to her. Rose and Peter remained happily married and cherished growing old together and traveling the world, visiting many countries together especially Italy, Greece, and England.

Rose will be remembered for her welcoming heart, warmth, positivity, authenticity and her witty sense of humor. Rose was predeceased by her mother, Victoria Marasciulo (Quartucci) and her father Theodore Marasciulo. She is survived by her beloved husband Peter Giamalis; her sister Joan Giovinazzo and brother Ted Marasciulo, both of Venice, Florida; three daughters—Christina Giamalis (Charles Asher) of Friday Harbor, Washington, Catherine Lake (Tom Lake) of Santa Maria, California, and Stacey Giamalis of San Francisco, California; and eight grandchildren— James and Maria Asher, Jessica, Erin and Kevin Lake, and John, Jason, and Suzanne Ogilvie. The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Valley for their comfort and support during Rose’s last days.

Friends and family are invited to gather in her memory on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11 a.m at the East Meadow Picnic Area in Mitchell Park (600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto). In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation made in her memory to Hospice of the Valley, The Leukemia Society, or the charity of your choice.