Rose Marie Iarussi

Rose Marie Iarussi, 81, of Monclova, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was born in Youngstown, Ohio on September 13, 1938 to John and Sophie (Bulesz) Pavlansky. Rose graduated from Struthers High School, and lived most of her life in the Youngstown/Struthers, Ohio area. Rose Marie worked at the General Electric Plant near Youngstown . She loved reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing Sudoku and watching old movies. Her passion later in life was raising and studying butterflies. She enjoyed attending Toledo Calvary Church with her son Richard and family. Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Paul Pavlansky. She is survived by her brother, John Pavlansky ; sister, Irene (Vic) Hassell; sons, Richard (Danielle) Iarussi and Ronald (Pamela) Iarussi; grandchildren, Alicia (Ryan) McLean, Andrew John (Kelly) Iarussi, Keary Iarussi , A.J. Iarussi, Tripp and Sophie Iarussi; and great-granddaughter, Georgia Iarussi. Due to the restrictions of the Covid-19 Pandemic, a Celebration of Life service will take place at a later date. A TRIBUTE written by Alicia: “We lost our Gram to this awful virus. While we are heartbroken, we are trying to focus on our happy memories and know that she is at peace. Probably up there already arguing with my grandfather! Growing up she was a huge part of our lives. She had two sons and I was the only girl amongst the grandchildren for decades so I had a special bond with her. I remember sitting around her kitchen table while we watched Wheel of Fortune and she did her crosswords. We would drink iced tea and eat Bit-O-Honeys (still my favorite candy). She would let me watch her programs (soaps) with her, much to my parents’ dismay. We watched every Shirley Temple movie ever made and collected dolls from around the world. After Andy fell asleep she would let me stay up and talk to her on the couch about life and every story she could recall. I was her special girl and she never let me forget it. My dad and uncle always had a playful relationship with her, pulling pranks and jokes that drove her crazy. As Andy and I got older we joined in, often prank calling her in disguised voices to join some program (BBQ sauce of the month club) or to give to an obscure cause (foreign cats trying to cross the border) or fund some ridiculous business venture (laundromat fine dining). She would fall for it every time at first, only to figure it out and tell us, "I'm gonna beat your butt," or in frustration shout, "You stupid JARMIE" - (sidenote- there is no English, or otherwise, definition for the word "jarmie"). Then she would erupt in a fit of laughter. Anyone who met her loved her. She loved her family fiercely and one of her greatest accomplishments was becoming a great-grandma to Georgia. While she was on the ventilator these past weeks we had the nurses tell her about our baby on the way. Not sure she heard, but for the next full day her vitals went up way positive. She was fighting. We spoke often and she would leave me scolding voicemails or Facebook posts if I didn't call her back right away. She had her routines and friends and was happy. Even though she had many male admirers where she lived, she made sure we knew she had "no time or energy for that nonsense". Instead, one of her passions became raising butterflies. She would take care of them from caterpillar to butterfly and she would release them when ready. She told us all about them and the journey they made south, and how some would find their way all the way back to where they started. Rest easy, sweet Gram. Thank you for the memories. We love you and know you will stay with us. And we will think of you every time we see a butterfly.”