Obituary of Rosemary Van Allen Francisco

Mrs. Rosemary Van Allen Francisco, 79, of Schuyler Road, Town of Florida, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Virginia Beach, Virginia while visiting family. Born on July 6, 1931, she was the only daughter of William H. Van Allen, Sr. and Elizabeth Bont Van Allen. She was a 1949 graduate of St. Mary's Institute, attending from first grade through 12th grade. She worked for the New York telephone company as an operator for 6 years prior to her marriage. She was then employed by the John E. Larrabee Company, as a switchboard operator and a secretary in the mill supply department. She was also employed as a secretary at St. Mary's Institute in the mid 1980's. She also worked for the Minaville Greenhouses as a bookkeeper/secretary. On September 21, 1952 she was united in marriage to Robert George Francisco, Sr. at St. Mary s Roman Catholic Church by the Rev. Thomas Meehan. That union lasted for 55 years until his passing on August 31, 2008, one day after his 76th birthday. She was also predeceased by her parents, and a brother, William H. Van Allen, Jr. Survivors include her three children, Kathleen Francisco Rose and Robert George Francisco, Jr. and his wife Susan Neuls, all of the Town of Florida, and Melissa Francisco Meier and her husband Michael of Virginia Beach, VA; five grandchildren, Peter J. Rose and his wife Mary Shea of Canajoharie, NY, Lindsay Francisco Kietzmann and her husband, Ryan, Carrie Elizabeth Francisco and Haley Patricia Francisco all of the Town of Florida and Oliver Meier of Virginia Beach, VA. She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Taryn McKeon Rose and Jack Landon Rose of Canajoharie, NY; one brother, Robert N. Van Allen and his wife Madeline, a cousin, Lillian McDermott and a sister-in-law, Jane Marks Van Allen; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Church, she served as past president and member of its Parish Council. She was a member and past President of the SMI Home School Association and a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and served 2 terms on the executive committee. She was also a member and past president of the Labora Club, a community service organization in the Town of Florida. She was also a life member and past President of the Town of Florida Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. In 1996, because of her volunteer work, she was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA as it passed thru Amsterdam on June 13, 1996. In 1988 Rosemary and Jacque Morini Bresonis SMI 64 were the founding directors of the St. Mary's Alumni Association. In 1998 they retired after 10 years of service. The annual newsletter that they created is still published today and was distributed to alumni this past week. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 at 8:00A.M. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00A.M. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main St. Amsterdam, NY with Father Randal Patterson and Father John Medwid concelebrating. Interment will follow in the Chuctanunda Cemetery, Minaville, NY. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday May 2nd, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Institute Alumni Association or to a charity of one's choice c/o the funeral home office.