Rosa Guarino, 88, passed away Sunday, March 7 ^th , 2021. Rosa was born in Partanna Sicily and spent a much of her adult life in Northeast Kansas City.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 10 ^th , at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd. Kansas City Mo. At 5:30 there will be special speaking engagements from members of the family. Funeral Services will be Thursday, March 11 ^th at 10:00 am at the Funeral home with entombment following at White Chapel Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Rosa was a vibrant, energetic Sicilian mom, who was passionate about cooking, family and planning family events. The smell of her baked fresh bread would permeate throughout the block on Prospect. With tons of family living on the same block, the baking and cooking events where stories that only come from books, movies or the basement of your Sicilian grandmother.  With her Sister-in-Law Caterina Bianco (now deceased), and Rosetta Guarino, they were the Dream Team of cooking. Whether it was cookies, pasta and meatballs, pizza or homemade pasta those are the type of memories that will live forever in all of us as we continue to try to replicate. Holidays were special, where Christmas would seem to last for a week, eating delicious food from the Cooking Dream Team of Northeast. Although there wasn't much mention in the papers Rosa Guarino was the winner of the prestigious Lake Pomona Meatball Cooking Contest, outdueling both Sisters-In-Law in a contest where 20 -30 of us were the judges.

Growing up as peasant farmer in the hills of Sicily, Rosa went on to have a life full of laughter, travel, and uncountable family events. After 10 years working at Betty Rose Factory, she devoted her entire life to making homemaking an art. Moving to America was rough on Rosa, but with the guidance of her Sister-in-Law Maria Leone she was able to adjust and get things done with Maria as her translator by her side.

She was known as the glue to many family events, in Sicily, France and then here in the United States. Rosa loved babies or should we say adored babies, making up her own lullabies to put them to sleep that great grand children now go to sleep on. Rosa's rituals and traditions will live for a long time in the Guarino, Bianco, Leone family.

Owning a duplex, Rosa's apartment upstairs became the starting point for many of our families. Caterina Guarino was living up there when all three of her children were born. Joseph & Trish, were living up there when both of their children were born, Louie and Caterina Vittoria were living up there when their son Michael was born. Anyone that moved into that apartment became family whether they were family or not. Heck there was a baby born, actually born in that apartment, where Maria Leone came running down from her house in a housecoat to deliver the baby. The biggest impact that apartment had was when Eric and Amanda de la Rosa moved in. (Grand Niece). Their kids Erika and Junior became her visitors every morning. She fed them, loved them and yelled at them. Her relationship with Erika was special, they loved each other unconditionally. Recently while going through Rosa's wallet a hidden at the bottom were pictures of Erika and Junior.

Sitting on the porch at 504 Prospect WAS an event as the family slowly would make their way over for espresso, cookies, gossip and chatter. Many of us will never forget those summer nights, running in the yard or sitting on the porch and Rosa being the ultimate hostess. The love of her nieces and nephews was again unbelievable. With many of our families growing up on the same block, Rosa was a mother figure to many of them.

Praying every morning to St. Anthony, she always prayed for all of our family's health. With rosary in hand, a cup of coffee and some sweet cookies every morning, praying was the way to start her day. Moving in with my Brother and Sister-in-Law for a while she learned (had to), to love dogs. Lucy was her sweetheart friend and Willie and Harley were always on her lap. I can remember her saying in broken English, "Willie, I love you…but no licka, no licka". She made many people laugh, even at her old age at Liberty Health & Wellness she was able to make many friends with the nursing staff. With her broken English and her passion to control everything, the staff fell in love with Mama Rosa.

At her age she was preceded in death by many family and friends, including the death of Filippo Guarino her beloved husband for 59 years, in 2014. Although Caterina Bianco was her Sister-in-Law, they grew up as sisters hanging out, cleaning, cooking since they were 15 years old, Aunt Caterina's death was devastating for Rosa.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Joe and Trish Guarino, Benny and Angie Guarino. Her only daughter Caterina Guarino. Her brother-in-Law and Spouse John & Rosetta Guarino, Brother-in-law Vito Bianco and Sister-in-law Maria Leone. Her grandchildren Christina Hocker, Daniella Herrington and spouse David Herrington, Vincent Carollo and Spouse Kate Carollo, Philip Guarino, Joseph Guarino, Jr. and seven great grandchildren. (With twins on the way). Her pall bearers will all be special people to her heart, three Grandchildren, Vincent Carollo, Philip Guarino and Joseph Guarino, Jr. Her great grandson Brody Hocker, her very special love in her life Junior De LaRosa and the love of all of our family Matthew Vittoria. (Who is still practicing carrying the coffin).

Her life was many things and had its ups and downs like any of us. Remembering her laughter, her cooking, her passion, her old Sicilian sayings, her corny beliefs, and her big hugs will live for an eternity.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com