Rose Frances Formichella

Rose Frances Formichella passed peacefully on September 4, at the age of 86. Family expresses their gratitude to the compassionate staff at St Francis and to the Hospice team during this very difficult transition. Rose was born on Elizabeth Street in New York’s Little Italy on December 18, 1928, the daughter of Caterina & Aurelio Licata. She graduated from Central High School of Needle Trades in 1947 where she learned the art of millinery. She leaves behind her husband Joseph whom she married in 1949. Rose and Joe’s families lived in the same apartment building on the lower east side of NYC and knew each other since 1938. They honeymooned in Havana, Cuba and in their middle years spent time traveling in Europe and Egypt. In 1956 they moved to West Hempstead, Long Island to raise their three children, Marguerite (Ken), Nicholas (Sandra ) and Andrew (Anita). Rose worked as a teacher’s aide for 20 years at the high school. In1990 Rose and Joe left family and friends and transplanted their deep NY roots in Bellingham to help raise their first grandchild who was diagnosed with autism. Rose was devoted to her children and all six of her grandchildren; Amy, Michael, Naomi, Christopher, Lucien and Ynez were cherished and loved. Every visit from her out of town grandchildren was highly anticipated and excitingly planned for and always documented by a million photos. She was very close to her two sisters, Antoinette (Nick) LaBruna and Christine Samartino and her brother Vito Licata. Her oldest brother Joseph Licata predeceased her in 1994. She was proud of her 19 nieces and nephews and kept in touch with most of them-never forgetting a birthday or an anniversary. She worried about everybody and did her best to keep up with her 39 grand nieces and nephews. Rose was a great cook, was talented with needle and thread, and took good care of her home, her husband and her neighbors. She enjoyed cooking for a crowd and often welcomed new neighbors with one of her fantastic Italian dinners. Rose volunteered at the ARC of Whatcom County from 1998-2008 helping in the office and with production of the newsletter. Rose will be missed-her sense of humor, her thoughtfulness and her unique lower east side Sicilian schtick made her endearing and lovable. You could not meet her and forget who she was. May you rest in peace Mom. There will be a Catholic Mass on Friday, September 11th at 1:00 PM at The Church of The Assumption, followed by burial at Bayview Cemetery.

Rose Frances Formichella

December 18, 1928 - September 4, 2015