Viola Agnes Rossi

Viola Rossi , a trailblazer in the New York City fashion industry, passed away January 2, 2025 in Allentown, PA, at the age of 98. She was born and raised in Whitehall, the daughter of the late John and Estella (Fornaciari) Rossi. She was a graduate of Whitehall High School and the Traphagen School of Fashion Design.

Viola ventured to New York City at the age of 18 where she pursued a successful career in fashion and public relations. After 10 years working alongside the renowned Eleanor Lambert, she founded her own agency, Viola Rossi PR, where she continued to influence the industry with her creativity and expertise.

Viola loved traveling the world drawing inspiration from time spent in Paris, Austria, Italy, Moscow, Tokyo, Hong Kong and more. Following her travels, she loved returning to her New York City apartment and home in Allentown to reunite with her family and those dear to her. Viola was an avid supporter of the NYC Metropolitan Opera House. In her later years, she continued to follow her passion as a prolific traveler, making transatlantic crossings on the Concorde.

A devoted aunt, Viola is survived by her two nieces, Tina Fritzinger of Center Valley, PA (Marisa) and Lisa Cosimano Gallagher of North Hampton, NH (Daniel) and two nephews, Mark Fritzinger of Boca Raton, FL (Dana) and Peter Cosimano of Alexandria, VA (Kelly).

Viola was predeceased by her brother John Rossi, Jr., two sisters Amelia Rossi Cosimano and Adeline Rossi Fritzinger, and her nephew, John Rossi, III (Maria).

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Karen Paules and the team of caregivers at Nest In Place who were instrumental in helping Viola achieve her final wish to spend her remaining days in her home. The family also thanks the hospice team on the 6th floor of the Kasych Pavilion of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for their extraordinarily kind and gentle care of Viola in her final days.

A Graveside Service will be held to honor her life at Calvary Cemetery (formerly Saint Lawrence Catholic Cemetery off of Grove and Lincoln Street), North Catasauqua, PA on Friday, January 10, 2024, at 1 PM. Schisler Funeral Home, Northampton, PA has been entrusted with her care and arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Viola's memory to Nest In Place - 7931 Spring Creek Road, Alburtis, PA 18011. Online condolences may be offered at www.schislerfuneralhomes.com