Rosina Domenica Thompson, 94

Rosina Domenica Mandarino Thompson, 94 of Brooklyn, NY, passed away on August 22, 2021. She was born in Arienzo, Italy on December 10, 1926 to Luigi Mandarino and Diletta Savino Mandarino.

Rosina attended schools in Naples, Italy until World War II began. Then the family with 8 daughters moved to Arienzo, a town on the outskirts of Naples, where she was born and where her beloved aunt Angelica Bernadette, a Catholic nun, served in the town convent. There they had a farm to sustain the family during the war. She often told stories about her time there, seeing the German soldiers pass through during the war and eventually the American soldiers arriving and giving out chocolates to the children of the town.

After the war ended, she and her family moved back to the city where she eventually met her husband, Jack Thompson, who was an officer in the US Navy. They married and moved to the United States where she spent the rest of her life raising her children and eventually one grandson. Rosina and Jack had two children, William L. Thompson and Katia Thompson Smith (grandson, Miles L. Wickham).

Rosina was devoted to her family and lived her life to the fullest. She spent many summers returning to Italy with her two children and later in life with her beloved grandson, who she helped her daughter to raise. She would often return to see her homeland and extended family that she missed so much; spending time with them on the ocean in one of the many beautiful seaside islands near Naples.

Rosina loved to cook Italian food and especially her homemade gnocchi which she was famous for. She baked Italian breads and made specialty deserts like struffoli for the holiday gatherings. She had a love of music and dance and always uplifted her family and herself by singing until the last days of her life.

She was a true Neopolitan with a wonderful sense of humor, so infectious that she would often have her family in stiches. She loved being on the beach and was a social butterfly, making friends instantly with strangers. Her children say she was a real character that people could never forget.

Rosina was preceded in death by her parents, Luigi Mandarino and Diletta Savino Mandarino; brother, Domenico Mandarino; sisters, Anna Mandarino, Maria Waters, Teresa Castaldi and Wanda Silva. She is survived by her son William L. Thompson, daughter, Katia Thompson Smith (husband Martin R. Smith), grandson, Miles L. Wickham; sisters, Caterina Mandarino, Carmelina Netz and Vittoria Rawls.

Funeral Services will be at St. Luke’s Catholic Church at 1606 Blanding Blvd., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, at 10:30am in the Main Chapel. (904) 282-0439

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.  Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720