Obituary of Rosina America Italia Victoria Filice McKee

Rosina America Italia Victoria Filice McKee, a longtime resident of Trenton, passed away Thursday, November 12 at Stonebridge Assisted Living in Skillman, NJ where she has resided the past 5 years. She was born on June 24, 1918 in the Chambersburg section of Trenton, to the late Joseph and Isabella Di Via Filice, who displayed their great pride as immigrants to the United States by naming their daughter in honor of the allied effort in WWI between Italy and the United States. An area resident most of her life, save during her 25 year marriage to Carrick McKee when she resided in Jonesborough, TN, she then returned to NJ upon his passing. Wife of the late Carrick McKee, sister to the late John Filice and sister-in-law Clara Chiodi Filice and sister to the late Irene Filice Zakreski and brother-in-law Chester F. Zakreski, and step-mother to the late Richard McKee. She leaves behind eight loving nieces and nephews, their spouses and children; Richard & Julie Zakreski, and children, Matthew, Laura, & Katie; Nancy & John Freeman and sons, John & Christian; Robert Zakreski; Randall & Katie Zakreski and sons, Jamie & Peter; Joseph & Eileen Filice, and children, Paula, John, & Michael; Robert Filice; Donna & Robert Young, and children, Jake & Lisa; John Filice; and several grandnieces & grandnephews. In addition she leaves 3 stepchildren, Tom McKee, Barbara Valentik and Ruth McKee along with their spouses & children. A brilliant student, Rosina excelled in Biology and Chemistry and while attending Temple University earned her Bachelor’s Degree and honor of Suma cum laude. Returning to Trenton post-graduation, Rosina went on to perform important research work in both chromosome studies of the brain, and in Serology. It was in Trenton, at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, that Rosina's work propelled her to the position of Head Serologist, a position she held until her retirement. A gentle, understated soul, Rosina was multi-lingual, flawlessly able to read, speak and write in Italian, Latin and French. She was also a noteworthy cook, and incredibly knowledgeable about Opera, Ballet, Art, Literature, and Travel making her an interesting addition to round table discussions, and a welcome asset both in the kitchen and at the dinner table! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 17 at 10 a.m. at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Hamilton Township, NJ. Family and friends are invited to call on the family in the daily chapel at the Church of St. Ann from 8:30 AM until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, 659 Tower Avenue, First Floor Hartford, CT 06112 or at www.nationalmssociety.org