Memorial Trees
M
Mike & Lynne Savino
January 23, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Angeline Rooks
<p>When deciding how tragic a death is, one immediate thought is to look at the length of a life. Angeline (Angie) (Lamerato) Rooks passed away on January 21, 2025, at the age of 92 following a brief illness. Her profound effect on the rest of us is difficult to quantify, based on the sheer number of lives she touched. In this case, the tragedy is not in the life she was unable to live, but in the deep hole she has left with her passing in the lives of all she managed to touch. Her innumerable friends and devoted family will remember her irreverent sense of humor, and razor-sharp wit, as well as the long list of achievements under her name and her trademark hairstyle- the bun.</p><p><br></p><p>Born during the Depression, on July 1, 1932 in Hamtramck Michigan, she was sixth of ten children born to Italian immigrants, Salvatore and Vittoria Lamerato. Being a middle child in that large a brood could have led to a life of anonymity, but Angeline Rooks bucked the trends at every turn. If there was an opportunity to shine she was up for the challenge. Her greatest passions were family, art, travel, reading, cooking, and football.</p><p><br></p><p>After being named valedictorian at Hamtramck High School Angeline was the first of her family to attend college, earning her Bachelors in Education from the University of Michigan in 1954 and a Masters degree from Wayne State University. She remained an ardent lifelong Wolverine cheering on the football team with passion, and encouraging her students and family to also GO BLUE.</p><p><br></p><p>Following university, she taught kindergarten, first, third, and sixth grade at Salina Elementary School, and later at Lowrey Middle School both in Dearborn, Michigan. In many cases, she became more than just a teacher to her students and often found herself teaching siblings and multiple generations in the same family before retiring in 1992. Many of her former students remained close friends to her throughout her life, visiting regularly. She also coached the nationally successful Chess Club, which she cared about deeply. Ever the teacher, later in life she lovingly welcomed her grand nephew Frank into her home daily becoming one of his first teachers. She spent hours reading her favorite stories, and teaching him to play chess.</p><p><br></p><p>In 1961, she married Arthur Rooks and became the devoted mother of Helen and Rina. For several years, the family lived in Hamtramck, next to her mother-in-law, Mrs. Julia Rooks. Ever a caregiver, Angie cared for Mrs. Rooks throughout her life, in addition to caring for her daughters. Rina and her mother lived together for many years, developing an incredible bond. She became the loving grandmother to Chripstopher and Melissa, and cherished their time together greatly.</p><p><br></p><p></p><p>She and Art spent many lovely years together throwing unforgettable parties and traveling. They enjoyed collecting art together, focussing on up and coming Michigan artists. For a brief period, they translated their love of art to owning a gallery in Sylvan Lake. In the late sixties, the family moved to Grosse Pointe Farms where they lovingly restored their beautiful new home. Unfortunately their time together was cut short, and Art preceded her in death in 1986 after a courageous battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, Angie became his primary caregiver, while continuing to teach and support her family.</p><p><br></p><p>Angeline deeply enjoyed Travel. She explored Europe, Africa, and several places in the United States. One of her and Art’s favorite places in all the world was Paris, which she visited a total of 17 times. She was proud of her Italian heritage, visiting the family in San Giovanni first in 1956 with her sister Rose and father Salvatore. This first trip is what ignited her lifetime love of travel and in learning about different foods and cultures. In her 80’s she went back to Italy with her sisters Theresa, Rose, Gina and Vicki, the tales of that epic trip would be told for years to come-oh to be a fly on the wall of that trip! She adored New York City and visited there often to go to the theatre, the Opera, and visit her beloved friend Michael Shaieb.</p><p><br></p><p>Angie was a lifelong lover of Opera. Before the Detroit Opera House was restored in 1996, Angeline had been supporting their work by working with Dr. DiCheira to bring Opera to Dearborn with performances at Fordson High School. She instilled her love of Opera to her adoring niece Vittoria. Together they traveled and saw several performances in Chicago, Sarasota, New York. Paris, as well as jointly holding season tickets in Detroit.</p><p><br></p><p>Always an avid reader, she later used books to explore the world after her travels slowed. She DEVOURED books, reading anything from biographies to sappy romances. She often said that there was no person that even came close to reading the number of books she read until she met her friend George. Together they enjoyed discussing different books and watching football for the remainder of her life.</p><p><br></p><p>Angie came from a family of gifted culinary artists, and Angie was no different. Proudly a founding subscriber of Gourmet magazine she was a daring and spectacular cook and entertainer. Hosting Thanksgiving, and her annual Beaujolas party were two of her favorites and hosted the last of these in 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Angie was a loving, supportive, positive Aunt and great Aunt who developed interests that connected her to her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She shared her passions with them, especially her love of cooking, learning, books, politics, travel, and football. She had many, many friends from different social circles and communities with whom she maintained long-lasting connections. This was recently highlighted at her 90th birthday party which was attended by 60 of her closest friends.</p><p><br></p><p>Angeline is survived by her daughters Helen and Rina; her granddaughter, Melissa; her sisters: Rose, Victoria, and Janet; her nieces: Vittoria, Amelia, Kathy, Maria, Anita, and Lisa; nephew, Mark; grandnieces: Alyssa, Brianna, and Maddy; and grandnephews: Frank, Christopher, Nicholas, Joseph, Andrew, Tadej, and Cole.</p><p><br></p><p>Visitation for Angeline will take place Sunday, January 26, from 12 pm -8 pm with a memory sharing service, 4 pm, at Chas. Verheyden, Inc, 16300 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park. Funeral mass Monday, January 27, instate at 11:30 am until time of mass, 12 pm, at St. Lucy Catholic Church - 23401 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI.</p>July 1, 1932 - January 21, 202507/01/193201/21/2025
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