Rose Fucello

Mrs. Rose A. Fucello (née Merola), 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Crane’s Mill Nursing Care in West Caldwell, NJ.

Memorial visiting will be held at the Dancy Funeral Home, 9 Smull Avenue, Caldwell, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 1 to 3 PM.

Born on July 26, 1934, and raised in Newark, NJ, Rose attended Barringer High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, placed 7th in her class, and was part of the cheerleading squad, graduating in January 1953. On May 13, 1956, she married High School Sweetheart; love of her life, Anthony J. Fucello. Together they made their home in Newark before moving to West Caldwell in 1974, where they lived for 43 years.

While raising her family of 2 children, Rose was deeply involved in civic and parish life. She was active in many civic endeavors at Immaculate Conception Parish in Newark and later supported youth sports and enrichment activities at St. Aloysius Parish in Caldwell. She worked as a lunch aide at Wilson Elementary School, while balancing her work, raising children, and maintaining a loving home. She was a member of the PTA.

In 2017, Rose and Anthony moved to Roseland, where they resided for six years until Anthony’s passing in 2023. They shared 67 devoted years of marriage.

Rose was predeceased by her beloved husband, Anthony J. Fucello, in 2023; her sister, Lisa, in 1987; her parents, Mary (1980) and Vincent (1972); her father-in-law, Joseph (1969); her mother-in-law, Lucille (1998); her brother-in-law, Roger (2008); and her niece, Donna (2021).

She is survived by her 2 loving children, Stephanie and Mark; her son-in-law, David; her daughter-in-law, Michele; her granddaughters, Emily (and her husband, Jarred) and Pamela; her great-granddaughter, Briar; and her sister, Ann. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Joseph (Marilyn), and her nephews, Joseph Jr. (Donna), Steven (Melissa), John (Mary Beth), and Anthony (Hilary), along with many dear friends, including those she worked with during her 25 years as office manager and dental assistant for Dr. Alfred Josephsen in West Caldwell.

Above all, Rose loved her family and friends. She expressed that love through her cherished memory picture collages, lovingly created to honor special people and meaningful moments throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or On-Line at (stjude.org)

Memories and condolences may be shared on her obituary page at dancyfuneralhome.com.