Rose Lorenzini

SOUTH BARRE – Rose Lorenzini, 85, a loving wife, and mother of five passed away on Saturday August 10, 2019 at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin with her family at her side.

Born on November 29, 1933, in Barre, she was the daughter of John D. and Rose P. Tomasi. Rose had seven brothers and sisters and she often shared fond memories of the family’s trips to Sand Bar State Park. She attended St. Monica's Elementary School and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1953.

After high school, Rose and her girlfriends went on several trips to Hampton Beach and she loved to go on skiing trips to the Laurentian Mountains in Canada with her sister Madeline and their friends. During high school, she worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Mr. Shay at Paige and Campbell and accepted a full-time position after high school.   It was there that she met her future husband Mario, the love of her life.   A few years later he proposed to Rose at the top of Camels Hump, and they married on May 10, 1957.

For a year or so they lived in Websterville in a small apartment with a shared bathroom. As their family grew, they built a ranch house on Route 14 in South Barre. Rose always said the years raising her five children were her happiest. She loved the neighborhood families, including the Bancrofts, Tomasinis, Nadeaus, Frasers and Hutchins. When the family outgrew their house on Route 14 Rose and Mario built a larger home with 20 acres of land. It was there that they had the space to cultivate their love of gardening and farming. She especially loved her sunflowers and vegetable garden. Rose was proud of her several entries in the Tunbridge Fair and received many awards. Throughout her life, she enjoyed photography and could be seen sporting her brownie camera taking pictures of family, friends, pets, and nature. Rose was a lifelong member of St Monica’s Church and she had a strong faith in God.

In 1970 Rose, Mario and close friends Bob and Angie Brault bought The Country House Restaurant on Main Street in Barre. For 35 years they operated the Country House working tirelessly to serve delicious meals to the public. In 2005 Rose and Mario retired from the restaurant but they did not slow down. Rose volunteered at the Aldrich Public Library, Barre Historical Society, St Monica's Church and the Friends of the Dome Gift Shop at the Capitol in Montpelier. Rose and Mario went on several trips throughout New England and enjoyed many special times with beloved grandchildren Tyler, Jenna, Laura, Jesse, Bowen, Phoebe, and Jack.

Family was everything to Rose. Recently she attended a family reunion at Sand Bar. Seeing her sister Connie and her husband Maurice as well as her nieces and nephews gave her great joy. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend. Oftentimes overlooking her own needs to help or do for everyone. She always offered a positive comment to move the conversation or project forward. She will be sorely missed by all that knew her.

Survivors include her husband Mario D. Lorenzini; her children Mark Lorenzini and his wife, Greta; Alan Lorenzini; Ann Lorenzini and her husband, Peter Christopher; Mary Lonczak and her husband, Tom; and Paul Lorenzini and his wife, Alana; her grandchildren Jenna, Jesse, Jack and Laura Lorenzini; Bowen and Phoebe Christopher, and Tyler Lonczak; her great-grandchildren Addyson Lorenzini and Teddy Lonczak as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rose was preceded in death by her mother Rose P. Tomasi and father John D. Tomasi, her brothers John, Richard, and Robert Tomasi, and her sisters Evelyn Booth and Madeline Gregoire.

The Mass of Christian Burial to honor and celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Monica Catholic Church, Summer Street, Barre. Following the service, interment will take place at the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641.