Rose Mary Agamie “Aunt Rosie” age 101 of Wayne died on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at her home. She had a God given gift of a long life journey and passed away peacefully after receiving the loving attention of her family.
Rose was born in Damascus, Syria and was of Armenian heritage. Her mother passed away while she was quite young in Damascus and her father having heard about wonderful opportunities of freedom in the United States immigrated to America. He established a farm on the western side of Riverview Drive in Totowa and sent for his daughter and two sons to come here from Syria. They came here in 1922 and joined their father on his farm. In 1992 Rose moved to a three family home in Paterson where she lived before moving to Wayne in 1996 to live at Sienna Village.
It is historic to note that the Armenian population was going through a very difficult cultural discrimination era in the Arab world including Syria and many people there were trying to seek a new life and opportunities in a land called America. They were desperately wanting a better life for their children. The waiting lists to enter America were extensive and this family arrived in America after a stepping stone sojourn in France. Looking back at this family’s life it was because of their father’s courage and many sacrifices of hard work that he and his daughter, sons and subsequent children were able to carry out their lives within the “American Dream” of great freedoms.
Rose was gifted with a strong individualist personality that was very proud of her heritage and the opportunities that her life journey afforded her. She was very family oriented and became the grandmother figure to her many nieces and nephews who in turn admired her. She made it a practice to reach out, with her personality and talents, to help others. She will be always remembered as a wonderful cook and baker. Her family always enjoyed her Syrian Kaak bread and her special pastries.
Surviving are one sister Alice Littleton of Hickory, North Carolina and many loved nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her sister Mary Agamie and brothers Joseph, George, Harry Louis and Fred Agamie.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 12, 2010 at 9 AM from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church, Long Hill Road, Little Falls where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Sunday, July 11th from 2-5 PM.
She will be laid to rest in the Agamie family burial plot at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa.