Rosina Angela San Paolo, 93, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Friday, February 3, 2017.  She was born April 3, 1923 in Springfield, the 9th child of Carmelo and Francesca (Oliveri) San Paolo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four infant siblings who were born and died in Carini, Italy; her two brothers Carmelo and Angelo San Paolo; her two sisters Josephine Canepa and Mary Hughes.

Rosina is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and one sister-in-law.

Rosina moved to St. Louis in 1944 with her parents and worked at Baldwin Piano. When the family moved back to Springfield in 1960, she worked at Ramey Super Markets and later went to work for The Catholic Center of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Rosina's life was centered in her Catholic faith. She was a member of Saint Agnes Cathedral for many years, and later a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Rosie loved to sing, and formed several youth church choirs and sang in adult choirs most of her life. After serving as the president of the Missouri Citizens for Life 1985-1988, she founded a lay Catholic pro-life organization, Voice for Life, which is now a diocesan-wide organization. She retired from her work at the Catholic Center in 1988, but continued working with Voice for Life many years after her retirement.

At the age of 90, Rosina authored a book, An Italian Symphony, a beautiful saga of family and faith from Italy to Springfield, Missouri, which is available at the Springfield Catholic Credit Union and DeSales Catholic Bookstore in Springfield.

The family wishes to thank the many friends who helped with Rosina's care over past few years with trips to the doctor, rides to Church, visits and invaluable support to Rosie and the family: special friends Margaret Schatz, Lori Propst, Iris Bounds and Virginia Sander; as well as Sister Elizabeth Ann Weiler, Father Mike McDevitt, and many others who could always be counted on to show their love for Rosie.  We especially thank those who cared for her during the last few weeks of her life: the staff at Jordan Creek and Preferred Hospice, including Crystal who often sat with Rosie; and niece Jennifer San Paolo who was with Aunt Rosina for many hours during her final weeks.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. followed by a Rosary service at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield, Missouri. A funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2200 W. Republic Road, Springfield, with burial immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Voice for Life, in care of Steve San Paolo, Springfield Catholic Credit Union, 1029 S. Campbell St., Springfield MO 65807