Rose Marie Isca

Rose Marie Isca, age 96, passed peacefully on February 11, at her home in Sterling Heights, Michigan with family. Rose was born to Paul and Mary Altese on May 4, 1929, with a midwife at their home in Detroit. Rose graduated from Northeastern High School in 1947, then worked at Hudson’s and Gateley’s department store offices until to her marriage in 1949 to Joseph P. Isca, who predeceased her in 1976. Other beloved predeceased family include son Paul Isca, son-in-law Donald Pirkola, her brothers and sisters-in-law Nicholas (Wanda) Altese and August (Alice) Altese, and brother-in-law Guilio Perazza. Rose is survived by her sister, Angeline Perazza, and her children Joseph (Kay Lynn) Isca, Mary Isca Pirkola, David (Pamela) Isca, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons Funeral Home, 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Rd.) in Sterling Heights, on Monday, February 16, from 3-9 p.m. with a communal rosary recitation at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass at St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, 41300 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Township on Tuesday, February 17, at 10 a.m. will be preceded by church visitation at 9:30. Immediate family will attend a private interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date. Her Catholic faith was important throughout Rose’s life. Her earliest childhood memory was of her Baptism day. Since she was born during the Great Depression, her family waited until she was three years old, when they could afford a celebratory party after her christening ceremony at their parish, the Parsonage of St. Joseph, in Detroit. She often told the story of her new shoes “that went clickity-clack” when she walked, and that they went to get her portrait taken to commemorate this special day. It was important to her that her children shared her faith and were educated in Catholic schools through high school. She faithfully prayed a rosary each morning and again each evening, asking God’s blessing on all those she loved. Rose’s life was devoted to her family in her many roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and devoted friend. Some of her happiest childhood times were the frequent gatherings with her cousins, often including sleep-overs, and they remained close as adults. Her wedding day included the church ceremony at 8 a.m., a breakfast reception, a rest period at home, then another reception with dinner music and dancing, followed by a late night buffet. Huge gatherings of family and homemade food remained constant throughout her life with many Italian favorites, especially cannoli. Her recipes are treasures she shared with her grateful family, who continue many of the traditions. As a mother she provided many opportunities for her children, including weekly trips to the library after swim lessons, piano and dance lessons, sports and Scouting –even becoming a Den Mother for her two older son’s troop. Whenever her husband planned a trip for just the two of them, she hesitated, concerned that something might happen to them and her children would be without them. They also took their young children on frequent outings, including a month-long driving trip on Route 66, visiting the many iconic sights, culminating at Disneyland in California. Rose embraced each of her nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, spending much time together and remembering their birthday each year. She also shared her love of bowling, golfing and playing cards with many of them as well as a loving group of women friends, who sadly passed before her. Rose will be greatly missed, but her legacy of connecting through shared food, experiences and stories will be long remembered and continued by many who loved her. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and friends who enriched her life and supported Rose with unwavering love and compassion during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rose’s memory to: Henry Ford Hospice Macomb Team 25511 Little Mack, Suite B, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081 Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com

Rose Marie Isca

May 4, 1929 - February 11, 2026