Rose Marie Maise Villella – Connellsville, formerly of North Charleroi and Monessen

Rose Marie Maise Villella, 81, of Connellsville, formerly of North Charleroi and Monessen, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025. Rose was the daughter of the late Angeline Rocco Maise and John Maise. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Joe Villella; her brother, John, whom she dearly loved; and many Villella, Toprani, Maise and Rocco family members. Rose held an immense love for her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her beloved children, Kara (Lee) DeMarco and Joey Christy Villella; and grandchildren, Ava Rose Villella, Lucas Villella and Aidan DeMarco. In 1961, Rose graduated from Monessen High School. She enjoyed hanging out with her friends in high school and valued every one of them. Her three closest friends whom she loved and shared a lifelong friendship with were Virginia Kantsi Anderson, Kathy Liscik Blair and Mary Ann Maise Kalamaras. Following high school graduation, Rose attended and graduated from Robert Morris College. She then obtained a position at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Company as a buyer’s clerk in the purchasing department located in the Oliver Building in Pittsburgh. Following her marriage to Joe, they owned and operated Ray’s Cleaning, a business which is now 80 years old. She chose to raise her two children in the business and stayed with them. Her dog, Angel, was a star in the business and people from Donora and Charleroi would stop by just to pet and hug her. A special thanks to the customers from all over the valley and the special people in Donora and Charleroi. We send a special love to all of them. Rose always remembered her high school friends. She cherished the good, crazy and happy times they had together. The memories of these times were so special to her. Toward the end of her life, she met many amazing friends at the Connellsville Towers. She loved the wonderful friends she made there. All of her senior friends were crazy, awesome and delightful. She made about 100 friends. Hats off to all of them. A Catholic by faith, Rose’s love for God and her deep faith sustained her throughout her life. She was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Monessen and St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Connellsville. A private Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Connellsville. Interment took place at Grandview Cemetery in Monessen. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Chubby Hands Foundation, www.thechubbyhandsfoundation. com/donate.