Rose Cigna

Rose Cigna, born on August 14, 1926 in Manhattan, was the sixth child of eight children. She was a part of a close-knit group of siblings who all worked hard to help the family survive the Depression and World War II. Her parents, Edward Cigna and Constanza Galante were immigrants. Their children, all of whom have predeceased Rose included Josephine, Anthony, Sally, Fannie, Joseph, Angelo, and John. She was also predeceased by her niece Cindy (Robert) Raheb, nephews Anthony (Joan) Cigna, Raymond Calvo, Richard (Gloria) Bubello, and Kenneth (Stephanie) Cigna, and grandnephew, Capt. Christopher (Jenn) Cigna, USN. She is survived by nine nieces and nephews, including Robert (Diana) Bubello, Edward (Catherine) Cigna, Joan Fiumara, Paul (Christine) Cigna, Philip (Barbara) Cigna, Angelo Cigna, and Connie (Frank) Santanostaso. She is also survived by twenty-five grandnieces and grandnephews. A life-long New York City resident until the last year of her life, Rose worked through the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Rose was an extraordinary seamstress, selected to perform the most difficult and detailed work in her company. Her sewing machine, even after she retired in 1989, was an important part of her world. While she never married, she defined family commitment by the support she gave her siblings as they worked to build their families. Rose was a great storyteller, providing the link to the past and traditions that connected her family to their legacy. She “adopted” her brothers’ and sisters’ children as her own, and never forgot any significant event in their lives. The result was a bond to their children that led to the intense support three generations of nieces and nephews gave her in her later years. She was always proud to introduce them to anyone near when they visited. Dedicated to family and friends, Rose had an extraordinary and uplifting personality. All of those, including each of the staff members at the senior living facility where she lived the last year of her life, smiled broadly at the mention of her name. Without exception they would say “We love Miss Rosie.” When her home in Brooklyn was sold, the neighbors all requested contact information: “we miss her a lot.” While the light might have gone from her physical presence, her glow will go on for generations. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Visiting Nurse Services Hospice (https://visitingnurseservice.org/giving/) or The Wounded Warriors Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate).

Rose Cigna

August 14, 1926 - April 4, 2024