South San Francisco, CA April 8, 2021 by Garden Chapel Funeral Directors
Rose (Rosie) Bava left this earthly world on Friday, March 19th, 2021, just one day shy of her 99th birthday at her home in South San Francisco, California. Rose was born on March 20th,1922 in Vallelonga, Calabria, Italy and immigrated to Ellwood City Pennsylvania in 1928. It was there she spent her early years and married Ralph Fera. In 1952 they moved to the North Beach district of San Francisco.
Rose was the beloved mother of Beth (John) O’Hara, David (Christine) Fera and Denise (Joseph) Fernekes. She was the adoring Grandmother to Robert Garzino, Renate (Kenny) Boronowsky, Danielle (Vincent) Fornesi, and Megan (Jason) Portillo. Great-Grandmother to Nicholas and Dominic Garzino, Kit and Dot Boronowsky, Vincent and Lucca Fornesi and Jordan and Aiden Portillo. She is preceded in death by former husband Ralph, and brothers Albert (Vonnie) and Joseph (Patty) Ierullo.
Rose worked as a seamstress at Simmons Mattress Company for over 30 years where she first met Roy. She was a United Furniture Workers Union representative protecting the rights of workers. She was active in the Salesian Girls and Boys Club, the Salesian Mothers club, Presentation and Riordan high schools. Rose was an active member at the South San Francisco Women’s Club, a volunteer at the Plymire/Schwarz house, the Historical Society of South San Francisco and the Italian Catholic. She was a life-long SF 49er fan.
She and Roy met again at the wedding of a mutual friend’s daughter. Both now widowed, they began to date and Rose found the love of her life. They married and started a new life together. Roy and Rose were 49er season ticket holders and in the off season spent their time traveling the world. Roy passed in August of 2020.
Rosie will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.
Private services will be held on April 17th and a celebration of the lives of Roy and Rose later this summer.
Contributions can be made in memory of Rose Bava to the:
Alzheimers Association: 2290 North First Street, Suite 101, San Jose, Ca 95131
Historical Society of So. SF Plymire Schwarz House: 80 Chestnut Avenue, So. SF Ca 94083
Salesian Boys and Girls Club: 680 Filbert Street, SF CA. 94133