Rosalie C. Essi, 90, of Syracuse, NY passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026 after a long battle with cancer.  She retired from Kemper Insurance where she worked as a supervisor. Rosalie lived a rich life with curiosity and connection. Her legacy is written in the hearts of those who knew her- and quite literally, in the margins of countless library books. She was a voracious reader whose husband marked each book she finished with a small R in the top corner. Walk through the Hazard Branch or St. Petersburg library today, and you will spot a few- tiny monuments scattered across shelves waiting to remind us of the woman who treasured every page. Beyond the pages of fiction, Rosalie devoted herself to another kind of storytelling- the stories of her own family. Rosalie traced family trees and uncovered the stories and places that connected generations.

Rosalie was predeceased by her parents, James and Doris Foran, her first husband Leo L. Corey, daughter Doris Petrocci, her husband Issa “Chris,” brothers L. Perry, Terrence and James Foran.

She is survived by her sons, Leo N. Corey and James C. Essi and daughter, Patricia Hawk, grandchildren, Amber and Leah Corey, Louis (Jaime) Petrocci, Corey Petrocci, Lisa Petrocci, and Kevin and Kyle Hawk, sister, Judith (Francis) Hartnett, sisters-in-law, Jeanette Panzironi, Carol Foran and Cindy Foran, and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

At her request, there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aurora, whose audio books entertained her for the last year; Aurora, 1065 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203