Rosa Battaglia Liberto, 87, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 p.m. followed by a Visitation from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, at Passantino Bros. Funeral home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 6415 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119. Entombment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum.

Rosa was born on July 4, 1935, in Cefalù, Sicily, Italy, to Frank and Nancy Battaglia. She married Giovanni Liberto on July 25, 1953, and came to the United States in 1954. Rosa was a proud homemaker and took great pride in taking care of her family. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were unconditionally loved every day through the strong Catholic foundation Rosa provided. Rosa especially enjoyed cooking, as she had the family gather every Sunday at her house. Rosa celebrated life at these gatherings by entertaining and feeding the family each and every week. Rosa was instrumental in the startup of her son's, Salvatore and Rosario, family restaurant, Giovanni's Italian Deli & Pasta in Gladstone, Missouri. Many of the featured menu items are from Rosa's recipes. The family was privileged to have Rosa help throughout the years cooking the sauce and lasagna in preparation for the day. This was truly a labor of love, as she enjoyed being able to help her sons immensely. Rosa always put others before herself, and her actions were focused on the betterment of those around her.

Rosa was preceded in death by her husband, Giovanni ; her parents Frank and Nancy; brothers Joseph and Vincent; sister-in-law Serafina; and brothers-in-law John and Carl.

Rosa is survived by her children: Salvatore, Frank (Cathy), Isabella, Joseph, Nancy, Vincent (Tammy), and Rosario (Amber); her grandchildren: Celita (Carl Joseph), John Phillip (Savina), Rosa (Steven), Mary-Catherine (Chad), Rosario, and John; and great-grandchildren: Rosaria, Isabella, Joe Mike, Lily-Ana, Sofia, Milena, Tommy, Lukas, and Francesco. Rosa is also survived by her sisters: Sarah, Mary (Joe), and Carmelina; and several nieces and nephews. Rosa leaves behind many relatives and friends in the United States and Cefalù, Sicily.

Pallbearers: John Phillip Liberto, Rosario Liberto, Joe Mike Bonacorso, Carl Joseph Garcia, Chad Reinert, and Troy Mosby, Jr.

Altar Server: John Joseph Liberto

Come To Me

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come to Me."  With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. Our broken hearts are proof to us, God only takes the best.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com