Rose Marie (Cianci) Gerdy

Rose Marie (Cianci) Gerdy of Greenville passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 3, 2025, after a brief period of failing health. She was 95.

Rose was born on September 1, 1930, in Greenville, PA, the youngest of five siblings and the only daughter of Gaetano and Maria (Giangiordano) Cianci from Roccascalegna, Italy. She was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Greenville.

Rose graduated from the former Penn High School in 1948. She married Walter Gerdy on June 2, 1951. They were married 65 years. Together they managed Cianci’s Motel on the Mercer Road for two years shortly after it opened. They owned and operated the Orangeville Tavern in Orangeville, PA, for five years and later the Friendly Tavern on the Hadley Road for ten years. They owned and resided in the historic “Fish House” on the corner of Shenango Street and Louisa Avenue for 23 years. The property included several apartments which Rose managed.

After retirement Rose and Walt spent 17 winters at their property in Wildwood, FL, where she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, and the beach.

Rose was a tireless worker and businesswoman. She had a talent for accounting and numbers and handled the daily operations of their businesses. In her spare time, she loved spending time with family, cooking, traveling, gardening, and reading. She was artistic and took various creative classes over the years. She treasured her friends and loved spending time with them. Rose will be remembered for her compassion, humility, grace, and selfless commitment to others.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband; her son Jim Gerdy; her parents; and her brothers Nick, Camel, Tony, and John Cianci. Of her four brothers and their spouses and her husband’s ten siblings and their spouses, she was the last to pass away.

She is survived by a daughter Marianne Drew (Jerry) of Sandy Lake, PA; son Mark Gerdy (Diane) of Greenville; daughter Joanna Gerdy of Charlotte, NC; and daughter-in-law Peg Gerdy (Jim) of Danville, PA. She is also survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Emily Drew, Jerry Drew (Meagan), John Drew (Whitney), Matt Gerdy (Bethany), Sara Gerdy Marcel (Dan), Jerry, Clara, Marian, Laurel, Owen, Elise, John (LJ), and Ella.

Services:

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM Wednesday, 11/26/25, in St. Michael Roman Catholic Church 85 N. High St. Greenville with Fr. Thomas N. Trocchio, Pastor of the Church, as Celebrant. Family and friends will be received in The Gathering Space of the Church from 10:30 AM until time of Mass. Inurnment will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Online Visitors are welcome to sign the guest book and view a Video Tribute at www.loutzenhiserfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. 366-368 S. Main St. Greenville.