Rosalee Kathryn Gordon Antolini

Rosalee was a lifetime West Virginia resident, primarily in the Kerens, Harding and Elkins areas.

Rosalee was born on Sept. 11, 1928, in Kerens, West Virginia, to Lulu Bell and James Ottis Gordon. In May 1953, she married the love of her life, Romeo Antolini, whom she remained devoted to her entire life with a love for him that never faded despite his early departure from this earthly life.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Romeo, her parents and her three brothers, Russell, Arlie and Melvin; and one sister, Susan Sainato. She is survived by her seven children, Joan Marie Phillips (and late husband, William) of Winfield, West Virginia, Stephen Antolini and wife, Theda, of Harding, West Virginia, Carolyn Dolly and husband, Randall, of Belington, West Virginia, Cynthia Soper (and late husband, Robert) of Audubon, New Jersey, Janet Antolini Severino and husband, Jeffrey, of Pataskala, Ohio, Michelle Antolini Ward and husband, Ross, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and R. Thomas Antolini and wife, Kimberly, of Ocean Isle, North Carolina.

She was loved and will be missed dearly by 20 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Family was the cornerstone of Rosalee’s heart and soul as she dedicated her life to being a mother, provider, and lover of children. Her loving care extended to her passion for gardening and canning. Her greatest joy came from raising her family and then watching that love spread through their children.

Anyone who knew Rosalee remembers her as very strong, resilient, valiant, independent, and faithful despite overwhelming life odds. She was known to sleep with a rosary under her pillow and a rifle under her bed. Never a stranger to a bingo card, a lottery ticket, or a jigsaw puzzle, these seemingly trivial tasks are indicative of her forever spirit of hope for a brighter future or more beautiful picture.

Her family is most comforted at this time in knowing that Rosalee is finally reunited after 54 years in peace and eternal rest with Romeo. Go in peace, dear mother, and tell dad we love him.

The family will receive friends from 10:45 until 11:45 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Elkins. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Friday with Father Ed Tetteh as the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Brendan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to CAMC Children’s Advocacy Center via CAMC Foundation. Address 3414 Staunton Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Rosalee Kathryn Gordon Antolini.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.