Rose Marie Carfora

Rose Marie Carfora, age 83, of Whiting, died Saturday, March 17, 2007, at the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Madison. Born Dec. 1, 1923, in Mill Creek to the late Carl and Bernice (Wolski) Pawlik, she attended schools in the Stevens Point area before moving to Chicago when she was in her late teens. In 1944, she married William Lawrence Graham and they then moved to Hollywood, Calif. Bill died on Feb. 6, 1969. Rose then married Leopoldo Peter Carfora on April 4, 1970, in San Mateo, Calif. They predominantly resided in Las Vegas, Nev. until his death on March 20, 2003.

In the 1950s and early '60s, Rose and her partner, Raymonde, had an immensely prestigious hair salon in Taluca Lake, Calif. (Hollywood) where her patrons included Dorothy Lamour, the wife of Bob Hope, and Marilyn Monroe, among others.

Rose's real joy and talent, however, developed in her later years when she began painting. Rose became an amazing artist, working mostly in oils. She had many shows in Las Vegas, as well as placements in galleries there. Rose was sought after for her commissioned painting work. The unveiling of a finished work, and the celebratory martini were a Rose Marie Carfora trademark. Her art will keep her alive for all of us who knew her, love her, and are fortunate to have her creations of beauty in our homes.

Rose moved back to Stevens Point in July of 2004. She resided at 1902 Post Road, Unit 19, Wellington Place in Whiting until the time of her death.

Survivors include her brother, Edward Pawlik of Wisconsin Rapids; her sisters, Louise Lepper of Mosinee and Sophie Gburek of Canoga Park, Calif. Also, many loving nephews and nieces – too numerous to mention; as well as extended family in the Chicago area that took her in and helped her get a start in life. She was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Pawlik of Delafield, Wisc.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Kevin C. Louis officiating. Burial will take place in Guardian Angel Cemetery. Visitation will be in the St. Faustina Room at St. Peter Church on Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, Stevens Point, is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

Graveside Committal services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2007, at Guardian Angel Cemetery.

Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home,
Stevens Point, 344-4595