Obituary of Rose Catania Mercurio

On Friday January 29th, Rose Catania Mercurio, our mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed peacefully. She is preceded in her death by her first husband, Salvatore Catania and second husband, John Mercurio. She was the daughter of first generation Croatian immigrants, Katie and Joseph Sokolich and the older sister of John Sokolich (Marcella) and Chris Goyanovich. Rose was blessed with adventure and travel. She enjoyed a six-month journey around the world, with Salvatore Catania and several other international and national trips with John Mercurio. One of her favorites being a fishing trips along the Oregon Coast. In her prime she was an avid golfer and a member of the Monterey Pines Del Monte Golf Club, where she served as president. She was one of a few women to claim two holes-in-one. After living in Monterey for many years, Rose and John moved to Lake Tahoe, for a couple of years, where they hosted family summer vacations, and holiday gatherings. Especially, Christmases where the never ending food was shoved in front of you with Mangia, Mangia, ringing in our ears to eat! We also take our fond memories of fishing off the boat dock, netting and cooking craw-dads, and going to the Harrah’s buffet where we enjoyed our favorite pastime… eating! Rose was the strength and foundation of our family, often demanding her children, children’s children and great grandchildren’s presence at “Her Holidays and Vacations” to stress the importance of getting together as family. By example she taught everyone to carry ourselves with etiquette, to honor others and to keep family close. She was a true matriarch, who was ahead of her time in so many ways. Rose is survived by her four children, MaryLynn Costanza (John), Kathleen Catania, Sally Tavares (Bob), Vincent J Catania (Valerie), a step-son Don Mercurio (Karen), seven grandchildren John Costanza, Claudia Nicolaou, Karinne Collinsworth, Teri Tavares, Lorna Catania, Maya Popolizio, Roseanne Catania, and two step grandchildren John and Scott Mercurio, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. You lived a wonderful life, Mom / Nana, and now it is now your time to dance in heaven with your husbands, reunite with family and be an angel to us to watch over us and guide us from above. We love you more than you will ever know and will miss you each and every day. Rest in Peace. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the “In Touch” at Park Lane who adopted our mother as their “Nana” and cared and assisted Rose during her last years. Their kindness, compassionate care and effort did not go unnoticed and was very much appreciated. Memorial Mass for Rose will be held at San Carlos Cathedral, on MONDAY February 15, 2016 at 9:30. In lieu of flowers, please provide donations to St. Jude’s Hospital, San Carlos Restoration Project or a Charity of your choice. Service Information