Rose Allegra Berté died peacefully, just shy of her 90th birthday, on January 20, 2024, with her family by her side, after an extended, courageous battle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Born in the Bronx, N.Y. in 1934, she was the daughter of Carmella (Strazzeri) and Agatino Allegra, who were both originally from Giardini Naxos, Italy.
After graduating from Walton High School in the Bronx, she worked as a paralegal at a Manhattan law firm, which shaped her into the strong, confident woman everyone knew.
In 1963, Rose met the love of her life, Frank Berté, of Pleasantville, N.Y., and on June 28, 1964, they were married at St. Barnabas Church in the Bronx. For 43 years, they lived and raised their children in Pleasantville, in a house on King Street built by Frank and his brothers.
After being a stay-at-home mom, Rose reentered the workforce as the office manager of a real estate firm in Pleasantville.
In 2007, after they retired, Rose and Frank moved to Rye to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
A devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Rose loved spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, attending their various activities, entertaining friends at the lake house they built in Smallwood, N.Y., and traveling.
She and Frank became very active with the Rye Seniors, where she made many new and close friends. Rose was a longtime, devout parishioner of Holy Innocents Church and Our Lady of Pompeii Chapel in Pleasantville, as well as Resurrection Church in Rye.
Rose and Frank Berté were happily married for nearly 60 years. He survives her, as do their children, Lisa (Brian) Dempsey and Paul Berté; and four grandchildren: Jeffrey Dempsey, Lauren Dempsey, Jonathan Berté, and Samantha Berté. She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Allegra.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at White Plains Hospital for their compassionate care during Rose’s final days.
A wake will be held Monday, Jan. 22 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Church. Burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery in Pleasantville. Donations in memory of Rose Berté may be made to Rye Seniors, 281 Midland Ave., Rye, NY 10580.