Angela LaRossa, aka "Angie", left us on September 29, 2022.   She became a centenarian just three months prior to transitioning.  Angie was in hospice care at home for the last three weeks of her life.  She was blessed with great health for the majority of life, although she had her battle w/ Crohn's disease for many years, in which improved much much later in life.

Angie was born and raised in Philadelphia.  She was an extremely loyal parishioner of the Annunciation Church in South Philadelphia. She was a strict, devout and charitable Catholic. -- Always donating, and giving of her time and money.  Attending mass encompassed her life. When she wasn't present in church, she often viewed mass and religious programs on television. Her faith was a significant part of her make up, contentment and character, however she never imposed her beliefs on others. Angie was essentially a very conservative and modest woman, but she was also worldly and open-minded when/where it mattered most.

For 84 long years she resided on the 1200 block of Gerritt Street. -- From age 7 until 92 years of age.  During her later years, as her parents, brothers and her generation neighbors passed and/or moved on,  the newer and younger neighbors started to refer her as "a landmark", and "the matriarch" of Gerritt Street and the neighborhood.  Everyone knew her. Everyone was fond of her. And most importantly, everyone looked out for her.  In the end, several neighbors became her most dearest friends.  In 2014, she diligently made a life-changing decision;  "It was time for me to move on",  said Angie.  She wanted to simplify her life and downsize.  She needed something different, more practical,  and more age appropriate for the next phase of her life.  She no longer wanted to live alone. She sold her home, then relocated to Delaware County, PA w/ her niece (Denise) in 2015. -- Denise ultimately became Angie's caregiver.  One chapter ended and another began.  Angie once said, "Many people may not know this about me, but I always thought about living in the PA suburbs. I have a few cousins and friends that moved out here over the years. So I had the opportunity to move w/ my niece, and to not live alone any longer.  Now I'm finally here. I have no regrets.  Naturally, I miss my old home sometimes. After all, it was a big part of my life for a very long time.  The only regret  I have is not moving sooner. I feel more peaceful and safer now". 

For 39 years, Angie worked for the federal government, in the Office Of Personnel Management (OPM), overseeing the Department of Army at the former Quartermasters in Philadelphia.  She attended college in the evenings, during her earlier years in personnel management.  She received many accolades, as well as various job,  position and relocation offers (in Washington)  within the government, and throughout her career in government.  At one time, Angie seriously considered becoming a teacher, but decided to remain in her OPM position until she retired in 1981.   Upon retirement, her younger brother (Joseph) whom lived w/ her at the time became ill and paralyzed; She dedicated many of her retirement years in being his caregiver until his passing.

Angie was loved and respected by many. She was known to be "easy to love".  She was flawed like the rest of us, but her flaws were very few and miniscule.  "My dear aunt definitely had much more oddities than flaws", her niece (Denise) laughs.   They say no one or nothing is perfect, and that may be so. But in many aspects, Angie was as close to perfect as any human can be.  She's done many things perfectly, and the harder times she's always done w/ grace.  She's done a great deal of good and positive in her lifetime.  She was a very generous and giving woman.  She was one of the most thoughtful people.  Her benevolence had no limits. She was very kind and loving;   Well-spoken, cultured, well-traveled and highly intelligent.  She had a memory like a computer -- Even towards the end of her life as the natural dementia was setting in.  Angie enjoyed chatting about history and the Great Depression.  She was a history buff.  Although she never had children, she treated everyone like her child -- from her nieces to her friend's children and grandkids.  She was the perfect aunt.  She enjoyed simple cooking, church, sewing,  conversing, and baking on occasion.  She made the best Italian ricotta pie, in which she emulated her Italy born mother's (Concetta) recipe.  Angie also enjoyed watching sports -- especially baseball.  After all, she grew up w/ two younger brothers, so her interest in watching sports made perfect sense.

Angie was a very special human, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor, and lady. She was certainly one of a kind. Her mental, emotional and physical strength was admirable and remarkable. This crazy world was unequivocally a better place with her in it.  Sleep well dear, smart and little lady. You did wonderful!  Your purpose was served beautifully. XO

Services will be private.  In the near future, there will be two masses held in Ms. LaRossa's honor: One at Annunciation in South Philadelphia, and another in Delaware County.  -- To be announced.  Please feel free to contact Denise @ 215.837.0941, or email: denisesavvy@mail.com.  Thank you for caring.