Rosemary Grillo

Rosemary Grillo, age 64, of Wayne went to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, November 25, 2022.

She was born in Summit and was the daughter of the late Charles and Patricia Grillo. Rosemary grew up in Berkley Heights and attended Governor Livingston High School where she found her passion for singing in the choir. Her family moved to Westfield in her senior year as the school system there had special accommodations for her late sister Alycia. Rosemary continued her love for the arts at her new school and found joy participating in school plays  and singing with the Westfield High School Class of 1976. Following high school, she followed her love of music and attended and graduated from the Harford School of Music in Connecticut.

In her younger years Rosemary worked as an on-call accountant and excelled at several sales positions. In her mid-50’s her new role became caretaker for her mother which gave her the time and opportunity to return to school and receive a teaching certificate so that she could pursue her dream career in childhood education. For several years she worked at the Elizabeth Board of Education as a first-grade teacher.

Rosemary will forever be lovingly remembered as a beautiful soul who was outgoing, positive, giving, loving, caring, and a true caretaker who was there for anyone in need. She loved to worship and was a dedicated member of Calvary Temple International in Wayne where she sang and proudly displayed her license plate that read “RU Ready” with a frame that added, “To Let Jesus into Your Heart?” She was loyal, had a servant’s heart, was selfless and artistic. She loved pink flamingos and was a member of the Flamingo Buddies.  She once had a Pink Party where everything was pink from sunglasses, t-shirts, plates, cups, and more.  She was also a devoted cat lover always having at least two cats and at one time was up to four.  Rosemary was one of the most friendly, welcoming, loving people you ever met unless you called her “Rose” – she would immediately add “Mary” to correct you.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her Father Charles Grillo, Mother Patricia Grillo and Sister Alycia Grillo. Rosemary is survived by her brother Charles Grillo and his wife Sarah of Cumming, GA, brother Christopher Grillo of Westfield and four beautiful nieces, Theresa, Nicole, Olivia, and Madeline Grillo. She will also be dearly missed by her close friends who are like family: Faith & Gary Woortman, Jane Scalzitti, Audrey Lewis, Cathy & Joe Dobiszewski and her church family at Calvary Temple International in Wayne, NJ.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Calvary Temple, 1111 Preakness Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470, calvarynj.com/give or the Valley Hospital Cancer, valleyhospitalfoundation.org.