Donor Stories-Rosemary Nalbone

An eternal caregiver: Rosemary Nalbone gives back

Rosemary with her mom Raffaela, her brother Joey and her dad Joseph Sr.

Rosemary Nalbone has spent her life caring for those around her—and now, as her membership in the Payson Wharton Legacy Society signifies, she will continue to do so beyond her lifetime.

Rosemary was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island before moving to Oakdale Gardens, where she has lived for the past 16 years. As a young woman, Rosemary lost her mother to breast cancer and became the family’s matriarch. She watched over her younger brother Joey, who had been diagnosed with diabetes. Rosemary encouraged him to fight the disease and pursue his career while she worked as a receptionist in Manhattan.

Throughout their adult lives, Rosemary and Joey assisted each other. Rosemary enjoyed the arts throughout Manhattan while working for a Park Avenue law firm for more than three decades. Joey spent his career as an immigration inspector at JFK Airport. He also earned an engineering degree from New York Institute of Technology and obtained a pilot’s license. Together, with their father, Joseph, they enjoyed all of New York’s beautiful landscapes and had a special affinity for the lighthouses on the East End.

When necessary, Rosemary, Joey and Joseph sought medical care at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. When Joseph Sr. suffered a stroke in 1981, Rosemary and Joey spent countless hours visiting him as he lay in a coma. Sadly, Joseph lost his battle, but Rosemary feels grateful for the care he received as a patient and for the concern the staff expressed for her as a caregiver.

Having seen the beautiful donor recognition plaques throughout Long Island Jewish, coupled with the kindness she and Joey received after their father’s coma, Rosemary was inspired to give back to the hospital through her estate.

Rosemary and Joey continued to support each other, purchasing an apartment together. Rosemary accompanied Joey on many trips to the Long Island Jewish Dental Clinic and helped him manage his disease. Visiting first her father and then her brother at the hospital, Rosemary kindly refers to Long Island Jewish as her “alma mater,” and considers it a “home away from home.” The rapport she developed with staff, along with the respect she received from them as her family’s caregiver, gave her strength to care for Joey until he passed away on March 24, 2016.

She is exploring gift opportunities at Long Island Jewish Medical Center’s Dental Clinic in memory of her late brother, Joey Jr. Rosemary has included North Shore University Hospital as a beneficiary of her estate in honor of her late parents, Joseph Sr. and Raffaela. As the caregiver for her family, Rosemary says she “cannot say enough nice things” about the physicians, nurses and social workers she encountered at both hospitals.

As the remaining member of the Nalbone family, Rosemary wants to ensure that she establishes a powerful legacy for her family. Rosemary’s gifts will continue to provide for others when she is no longer able to—and will forever link her family’s name to kindness and caregiving.