Rose F. Palumbo

July 31, 1935 - December 17, 2021

Rose Francis (Simonetti) Palumbo of Bethlehem was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, godmother and friend. She left this world suddenly on December 17, 2021 at age 86. She was the daughter of the late Rocco V. and Rose A. (Morano) Simonetti. She was the loving wife the late Donald L. Palumbo. The simplest pleasures in life like fine dining, conversation, and friends, brought great joy to Rose. She was an exceptional cook and loved family gatherings especially spending time with her grandchildren. During her quiet time Rose enjoyed reading, word puzzles, listening to music and in her later years watching golf on tv. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met. Her smile lit up a room and her laugh put everyone at ease. Rose's sense of fashion and signature styles through the decades were admired and will be remembered by all. Her devotion and belief in God helped sustain her after losing her beloved husband in 2015 and will help sustain her family now. While Rose's primary occupation was homemaker, she touched and enriched the lives of many with various jobs she held throughout her life most notably: Fotomat, clerk for the town of Hopatcong, babysitting for Lowenstein Law firm and most recently volunteering at My Sister's Closet. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her son, Donald Palumbo and his partner, Lee Ellison of Hardyston, NJ; daughter Christine (Palumbo) Ciaccio and husband Luke of Bethlehem, PA; grandchildren Gina M. Knudsen and her husband Thomas of Washington, NJ, Gabriella R. and David L. Ciaccio of Bethlehem, PA; dear daughter in law, Clair Valentino and many beloved cousins and friends. Rose was preceded in death by her brother, Ralph J. Simonetti. A viewing will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem PA, 18018. A viewing will also be held on Wednesday, December 22 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial will be held at Union Cemetery in Hackettstown, NJ. A repast will not be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to My Sister's Closet, 3400 Bath Pike #103, Bethlehem, PA 18017.