Rose Marie (Pedicone) Willey

Rose Marie Willey, age 93, of Bear, DE, passed away on January 18, 2025 in Newark, DE. She was born to loving parents: Dominick J. and Louise Nardo Pedicone.

Rose was a graduate of Wilmington High School and attended Goldy-Beacom College.

She met her husband and love of her life, Bob, at a New Year’s Eve party and they celebrated their lives together until Bob’s death in 2019. Rose is the beloved mother of Linda Hart (Ed), Mary Louise Guessford (Larry), Margie Mannering (Greg), and Bobbie Stump (Robert). Her 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren will forever treasure her memory.

Rose was the matriarch of her family and enjoyed being a homemaker. She was a very talented seamstress, sewing any outfit with or without a pattern. She made wedding gowns and bridal party gowns, prom gowns, and outfits for her grandchildren. She was a master at crocheting who taught many others the craft. Everyone savored her Italian specialties at the family dinners on most Sundays. Rose cooked and baked from scratch. Huge, fresh pies were always ready after Friday Night Middletown football games.

Rose volunteered at St. Margaret’s Church as a Eucharistic Minister and a Reader at Sunday Mass. When her husband, Bob, joined the Knights of Columbus St. David’s Council, she joined the Columbiettes. Fundraising, supporting the many activities of the Knights of Columbus, as well as traveling with the Knights, brought joy to Rose. Perhaps being a sponsor of 3B’s Brae’s Brown Bag Foundation brought her the greatest satisfaction. Created by Braeden Mannering, her great-grandson, 3B brings help to the homeless. From one brown grocery bag filled with bottled water, healthy snacks, sometimes children’s books, toiletries, and local shelter contact information, Braeden, with the help of his mother, Christy, has been able to create and maintain the foundation. They, and other volunteers pack thousands of bags to reach many, many people in need. Rose packed hundreds of those bags and served as the historian of 3B. Rose was also the published author of the children's book, Angel Duck and the Power of Kindness.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 9:30 – 11:30 am at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 2431 Frazer Rd., Newark, DE 19702. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 am. Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, Rose’s family suggests donations in her name be mailed to her favorite charity: 3B’s Brown Bags Foundation at 950 Rue Madora, Bear, DE 19701.

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