Rose Conchetta (nee Gambardella) McGee, of Philadelphia, passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 92.
Rosie was the devoted wife of the late Bill McGee, Sr.; cherished mother of Bill (Marita) McGee, Jr, Jay (the late Donna) McGee, A.J. (Davette) McGee and Matt (Stephanie) McGee; adoring grandmother of Ashley (Trent), Billy (Stephanie), Kasey, Jade, Jenna (Bobby), Trevor, the late A.J.Jr., Carly, Caroline, Maggie, Jack, Sophie, Olivia, Will, Andrew and Matt. Great-grandmother of Mya, TJ, Parker, Indy, and Navy; dear sister of Sammy Gamardella and Emma Barousse. Rosie will also be missed by her nieces and nephews, especially Peggy Narasaki who was like a daughter to Rosie.She was predeceased by her siblings; Nicholas Gamberdella, Mary Gamberdella, Vincenza Carinelli and her twin sister, best friend and life companion Annie Huggins.
Rosie was the daughter of Felicietta and Pietro Gambardella. She grewup in West Philadelphia and went to Overbrook High School with Wilt Chamberlin.
Rosie and Bill raised their four sons in Morrell Park. Rosie loved her sons more than anything in the world until the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. Mommom’s house was where all the cousins got together to make memories. Drinking coffee and watching Jerry Springer at the island while Poppop played solitaire in the back, playing on the steps despite the multiple reprimands. The countless family parties and holiday meals shared in a full, loud home with Rosie as the host.
As a small, 100% Italian grandmother, she was known for her delicious meals. Parties, holidays and dinners were incomplete without Mommom’s meatballs (although she was a vegetarian), lasagna and fried cauliflower. She would gladly cook for anyone and offer, or force, food on guests. However, she was not as quick to share a recipe. If she did share a recipe with you, an ingredient or two was left out so your dish wouldn’t taste quite as good as hers.
Rosie and her twin sister Annie were the ultimate dynamic duo. In grade school, they attended opposite classes, tricking their teachers to help each other in the subjects they were strongest. They dated together, found their husbands together and even got married on the same day: February 4th, 1956. Rosie and Annie worked together for years and raised their children as one big family. After their husbands passed, Rosie and Annie lived and shared their final years together. They will be laid to rest together along with their husbands.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet Rosie’s family on Tuesday, March 4tt from 10-10:45am at St. Ephrem’s Church, 5400 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA where her funeral mass will immediately follow at 11am. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Rosie’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help).
