Loved and Lost: Rosalie DiLemme’s bubbly personality was perfect fit for receptionist job – NorthJersey.com
This story is part of Loved and Lost, a statewide media collaboration working to celebrate the life of every New Jersey resident who died of COVID-19. To learn more and submit a loved one’s name to be profiled, visit lovedandlostnj.com.
North Arlington’s Rosalie DiLemme made everyone feel at home, even at work.
Born in June 1939, DiLemme grew up in Jersey City, resided in North Arlington for more than 40 years and worked for decades in Moonachie.
First, she worked as a receptionist for Wechsler Coffee. Then, for the 10 years before she retired at 62, she held the same job at nearby Key Handling.
The role fit her outgoing nature and bubbly personality, said daughter Tina Krasner.
“She loved it because she got to interact with people, and people loved her — the employees and the customers,” Krasner said. “She was the queen. Everybody had to go through her.”
The daughter of an Italian immigrant, DiLemme was the youngest of six children. She cared for her ailing mother later in her life and was a steadfast presence at the family’s Sunday dinners, Krasner said. There, her happy, fun and loud manner came to the fore.
“She was always fun to be with,” Kranser said. “It was never a drag when she was around.”
As a mother of four, DiLemme was tactfully stern but primarily loving, Krasner said. When her son Peter DiLemme Jr. came out as gay in the 1980s, she embraced him and his friends as she always had, Krasner added.
“She just made everyone feel welcome,” Krasner said. “It didn’t matter who you were, how rich you were or how poor you were. She had a kind word for everyone.”
DiLemme loved to travel. Destinations in the American West, especially national parks, emphasized her spirit of adventure. Along with her husband of 63 years, Peter DiLemme, she also lived for spells in Kentucky and Florida. But the couple returned to New Jersey both times to be near family.
“When she moved away, it wasn’t the same for her,” Krasner said.
The DiLemmes met in Jersey City on April Fool’s Day, Krasner said. It was a blind date. It was also love at first sight.
In retirement, they considered moving to the Jersey Shore, Krasner said. However, once her children started having children, DiLemme wanted to remain in North Arlington to be near them all.
“She wouldn’t have it any other way,” Krasner said. “Her grandchildren were her life.”
DiLemme died on Nov. 25, 2020 at age 81.