Rosemarie Cipparulo, a respected labor lawyer and Rutgers University lecturer who argued cases before the US Court of Appeals, passed away Saturday in Somerville after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 65.

Rose was born in 1960 in Plainfield to Mary and Alexander Cipparulo, a labor union leader. She grew up with four sisters and a brother in Piscataway. After high school she worked for some years as a wallpaper hanger, a union job under Local 480, District 10. Rose enrolled at Douglas College, Rutgers University, graduating with honors. She went on to graduate studies at Rutgers Law School, again, graduating with honors.

Rose joined the labor law firm of Weissman and Mintz in Somerset, where she handled cases involving employment law, constitutional law, civil rights and social and economic justice organizations. She handled cases before the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, the New Jersey Supreme Court, the Federal District Court for New Jersey and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

She went on to become an Assistant Teaching Professor in Labor Studies and Employment Relations at the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations.

Rose was a musical soul who spent many hours playing music with friends. She had a gift for being able to play many instruments, most recently the Ukulele. She was a lifelong follower of the Grateful Dead and its tribute group, attending numerous concerts across the country with friends. Rose’s other passion was playing golf, and she played it well.

With friends and loved ones, Rose traveled the world, including trips across the U.S, to Europe and one to China, where Rose delivered lectures in US labor law and conflict resolution at Eastern Shanghai University.

Rose was part of a happy and loving family that extended to many dear great nieces and nephews. She is survived by her loving wife of 14 years, Jeanmarie Mara of Edison; her sister, Mary Ragno, and husband, Ralph Rango, of Robbinsville; her sister, Jeanette O’Donnell, and husband, James, of Toms River; her brother, Peter Cipparulo, and wife, Suzanne, of Piscataway; and her sister, Theresa Hoffman, of Toms River. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Lucele Ann Cipparulo. Rose and Jean also embraced two very dear pets: a doggie, Oscar; and a kitty, Kung Pao Kitty (Baby).

Visitation will be at the Flynn and Son/Mitruska Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave., Fords, NJ 08863, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 2-6 pm. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Center for Women and Work General Support at the Rutgers University Foundation https://give.rutgersfoundation.org