Rosemary Poli Cicero

Vibrant, classy, smart, and resilient, Rosemary Poli Cicero never lost her appetite for life. For nearly 93 years, she lived with gusto, loved hard, laughed often. She passed away June 8, at Allegheny General Hospital, following complications from a broken hip.

Quiet and reserved as a young woman, she blossomed in middle age, and become forthright in her later years. A graduate of St. Paul’s Cathedral High School (now Oakland Catholic), she attended Mt. Mercy College (now Carlow). She married Frank J. Cicero in 1951 and raised six children. Active in civic affairs, Rosemary was a president of the Schenley Farms Garden Club, a member of St. Lucy’s Auxiliary to the Blind, and co-chaired the Bishop’s Medallion Ball in 1972.

At age 50, she began a career outside the home. After working for many years as a clerk in the Allegheny County Controller’soffice, she tried retirement, but quickly grew bored. At age 70, she dusted off her resume (deleting the telltale dates) and was hired as a part-time receptionist for a psychiatric practice, a job she loved for 15 years. 

Throughout her life, Rosemary made countless long-lasting friendships and was a mentor to many. She would readily dispense no-nonsense advice to children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, colleagues, and friends – to anyone who sought her counsel, and even to some who didn’t. 

Rosemary often said the best years of her life were those spent raising her children, but her children would argue the best years were those spent at The Trimont. She was among the original residents of the Mt. Washington condominium where she lived for 34 years, surrounded by dear friends, and supported by caring staff. She never turned down a party invitation or a martini, hosted many dinners (she was an excellent cook), and never tired of the panoramic view of downtown Pittsburgh from her living room window.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Rosemary was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Poli, founder of Poli’s Restaurant in Squirrel Hill, and the sister of Laurence Poli, who ran the family restaurant until his death in 1992. Her husband, Frank, of Cicero’s Bar & Grill in Oakland, passed away in 2003. She is survived by her children Providence Cicero (David Bronleewe), Mary Jo Cicero, Gina Cicero, Carolyn Cicero (Ray Ramsey), Rosemary Morgan (Rory), and Anthony Cicero; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10 AM in St. Paul’s Cathedral. To honor her memory, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Arrangements entrusted to WM. SLATER & SONS INC., Mt. Washington (412-381-3345).

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