Margaret "Maggie" Mary La Rosa

Margaret M. La Rosa

Margaret (Maggie) Mary La Rosa (Peter) passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on June 1, 2024 at Ellen’s Home in Port Washington, WI. Maggie was born on April 16, 1931 to Joseph and Mary (Pataky) Peter of St. James, Long Island, New York.

Maggie met the love of her life Philip (Phil) Paul La Rosa in 1949 while working in a soda shop at the age of 18. The couple married on August 12, 1950 at Saints Philip & James Catholic Church in St. James, NY. Maggie and Phil were blessed with six children and raised them together in Manhasset, New York until the summer of 1974 when the family moved to Bayside, Wisconsin.

Maggie had a strong calling to the Catholic faith and was a very active, long-term parishioner at St. Eugene Congregation in Fox Point. She also participated in volunteer work for several other parishes as well as at St. Michael’s Hospital in Milwaukee. Maggie had a love for cardinals, angels, and the color purple - which was easily seen in her home decor and wardrobe choices.

Maggie and Phil cherished family time including weekend boating excursions off Long Island. She loved and excelled at bowling, baking, cooking, and crafting. She also had a special way of connecting with others, was a great listener, and acted as a conduit for those who needed prayer and a connection to God. Maggie was also very selfless, always put others’ needs before her own, and was an incredibly loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Joseph and Victor Peter, her husband, and her grandson, James Miller. She is survived by her six children, JoAnn Miller, Patti (Mike) Mahlstadt, Philip Jr. (Sally), Paul (Lynne), Christopher (Mary), and Mike; 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the staff at Ellen’s Home in Port Washington, WI and the Horizon Home Care and Hospice team for their loving care and compassion.

One of Maggie’s favorite Bible verses was from Nehemiah 8:10 which says “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” We can delight in the joy of the Lord because He is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate. May Maggie experience the fullness of the Lord’s joy at His eternal banquet in Heaven.

A funeral service will be held at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Cedarburg, WI on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 3:00 PM.  The family invites friends for dinner and fellowship following the service. Visitation will take place prior to the funeral service at St. Francis Borgia from 12:00 PM - 2:45 PM. A private burial will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org) are appreciated.