Rosemary Farrell "Tookie" Giordano Obituary

Rosemary Farrell "Tookie" Giordano

Mount Pleasant - Rosemary Farrell Giordano, "Tookie" 88, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, peacefully entered eternal rest on Friday, March 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at home.

Born on September 19,1937, in Charleston, South Carolina, Rosemary was the daughter of the late John Joseph Farrell and the late Lena Thornal Farrell. She was very proud to be a true Charlestonian. She was born and raised in downtown Charleston and graduated from Bishop England High School. After living 40 years on Sullivan's Island, Carmelo and Rosemary built their dream waterfront retirement home in the Shemwood neighborhood. It was there in Shemwood they enjoyed amazing daily sunsets.

In 1958, while working as a volunteer USO girl during a dance that was hosting the Italian Navy, Rosemary met a handsome Italian Naval Officer. It was love at first sight and the two spent time together which led to a proposal at Colonial Lake. When the Italian Navy left to return to Italy; Rosemary and Carmelo wrote love letters for five years while waiting to meet again. At last, the day finally came, and Rosemary courageously boarded a plane to marry her handsome love in his hometown of Siracusa, Sicily. After returning to the United States, the two built a beautiful life raising six daughters.

Rosemary devoted herself fully to her children and her community. Always willing to help, she stepped into many different roles lending a hand where help was needed. She was a substitute teacher, taught Sunday school, served proudly as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and was even known to drive a school bus when needed. In her early forties, Rosemary bravely decided to pursue a degree in nursing. She fulfilled a lifelong calling to care for others by becoming a registered nurse. She worked many years as a labor and delivery nurse at Roper Hospital. She often delivered babies when physicians had not yet made it to the hospital. She joined the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as a leader in the Women's Health Unit until her retirement.

Rosemary was known for her zany personality, quick wit, and remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome, accepted, and loved. Her humor was matched only by her kindness and compassion. A natural artist, she expressed her creativity through painting, crocheting, sewing, flower arranging, and decorating. She loved gardening and shared her plants with other gardeners. She had a gift for making everything beautiful and always believed in leaving things prettier than how she found them. She also loved to read, and even placed a little library in front of her home for others to share. For many years Rosemary crocheted newborn caps and created handmade rosaries to be distributed to various communities. Rosemary also enjoyed fashion, chocolate, playing cards, storytelling, and bringing joy to those around her. She took pride in being Irish and was a member of The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She was truly the life of the party wherever she went.

Above all, Rosemary cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took great pride in the family she and Carmelo created. Rosemary is survived by five daughters: Tamara Giordano Williams of Charleston; Rosemary Giordano Thompson of Mount Pleasant; Carmela Giordano Jackson (Don) of Mount Pleasant; Elena Giordano of Mount Pleasant; and Jacqulyn Giordano Slocum (Edward) of Isle of Palms. She is also survived by her honorary seventh daughter, Suzanne Selander. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Anthony, Alicia, Dustin, Joshua, Clint, Grant, Parker, Emilio, Edward, and Ethan; and her treasured great-grandchildren: Ember, Makenzie, Vada, Grae, Evie, and Bear. She is also survived by her niece Shellie Watts and her family; her best friend Leisa Yeager; the many wonderful ladies of the Christ Our King Beach House community whom she loved dearly; and her cherished cat, Stella, whom she absolutely adored.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband Carmelo Umberto Giordano; her daughter Roxanne Giordano; her sister Jacqueline Scrughan; her sons-in-law Tom and Bobby; her niece Vickie; and her nephews Victor and Jack.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Christ Our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mount Pleasant. Private entombment will follow at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com

In classic Rosemary style, she would want it announced that "Miss Jenkins has left the building," a nod to one of her favorite comedy sketches that always made her laugh.

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