Wethersfield - Rose (Donato) Smith, 66, of Wethersfield, beloved wife of Gregory R. Smith for 35 years, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, following a nine month battle with cancer.
Rose was born in Hartford, on Dec. 19, 1945, to the late Bernard and Emilia (Guzzo) Donato. Rose began her career in the insurance industry and later became an investment analyst at Babson Capital Management where she worked for 12 years. During this time, she held numerous prestigious positions with the North America Securities Valuation Association, serving as its president for five terms.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Susan and James Rau of Wethersfield and her loving nephew, Michael Rau and his wife, Chery, of Somers. Rose will be sadly missed by her cherished relatives and many special friends.
The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude for the compassion and care given to Rose by the entire staff of the St. Francis Hospital Oncology and Cancer Center and especially to the many devoted doctors who cared for Rose. Their kindness and support will always be remembered.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect St., Wethersfield. Those attending are asked to go directly to church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme. Her family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Greg We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Rose. She was a wonderful person, someone that always made a person feel welcome while in her presence, always greeted everyone with a smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
Don and Isabelle Kuzoian
December 20, 2012
Sue and Tony:
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Rose. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marie Civitillo Carilli
December 7, 2012
Greg,
Ray and I are so sorry to hear the loss of Rose both of you were a great pair and we all will remember you together as a really great couple. All your great times together will always be with you and she will have a special somthing you will always remember when you see it. My Mom was butterflies. Our deepest thoughts and memories forever.
Lee & Ray Davis
December 4, 2012
Greg, sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy.
Karl Kohl
November 30, 2012
Greg, I have heard so many wonderful stories of what a kind and loving husband you have been to Rose. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you, m
Emily Nelson
November 29, 2012
Greg ... you have been a devoted husband; you lovingly cared for Rose throughout her long battle with cancer. Reading all the Guest Book remembrances, you must know you are not alone. Be comforted by your lifetime of memories and don't hesitate to lean on your friends as you begin to heal. God bless you, dear Greg.
Joyce Burke (Romaine)
November 28, 2012
Sal and I send our deepest sympathy to you. Rose fought a long hard battle but always retained her sense of humor. I am sorry we never got to go to the Vernon Diner like she wanted to. Many times when I called, she was in so much pain and very tired. We send our love to you.
November 28, 2012
Greg-My thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of Rose's passing.
Priscilla Hallman
November 28, 2012
Sue, Jim and Michael: I am so sorry for your loss. Sue, many days were spent on Ansonia St. with your family. Remember only the good times and all the laughs we had in yor Mom's kitchen. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Kathy Sousa
November 28, 2012
Gregory, as Rose liked to call you, I'm saddened to hear of her passing. I've known Rose since grammer school and she will be missed by all that loved and knew her. May she rest in peace. Kathy Sousa '64 '
Kathy Sousa
November 28, 2012
Greg. So sorry to here of the passing of Rose. Many wonderfull memories of you and Rose, in Old Lyme, will always remain.
Billy Dillon
November 28, 2012
Dear Greg;
Our condolences on Rose's passing. We were so lucky to have the lunch at Howard and Kelly's this summer and get to visit with both of you.
Don and Connie Tapper
November 28, 2012
Greg I am so sorry for your loss!! my prayers are with you. I remember all the great times we enjoyed with her, and will miss them!
Lanny Mclellan
November 28, 2012
Greg and Family. My sincere condolences. I can't remember another woman with Rosey's wit and sense of humor. Who would ever allow one of her "fine" pair of heels to be nailed to the wall in a California Gin Mill...Only Rosey. Sleep in peace with the Angels Dear Rosey. Gerard and Linda
Gerard Proccacino
November 27, 2012
greg, i am so sorry for your loss. both my mom and myself are truly going to miss her. she had such an amazing heart, i enjoyed getting to know her all these years especially over johnny'd parties. we are sending warm thoughts and prayers along with you and your family.
stacy and robbie poole and villa family
November 27, 2012
Greg ... sorry to hear about your wife's passing. Remember to keep your face to the sunshine, and you won't see the shadows. Remember the good times my friend.
Bob Cornell
November 27, 2012
It is so hard to believe that Rosie is gone. May she never know pain again and be forever safe in the arms of Our Lord. With sincere sympathy,
Kathy, Jim and Seamus
November 27, 2012
Greg we are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Linda Vickers
November 27, 2012
GREG WERE GOING TO REALLY MISS HER. SHE WAS A BIG PART OF OUR FAMILY. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT MEMORIES AND GOOD TIMES TO REMEMBER HER. WE KNOW SHE IS AT PEACE AND WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP HER IN OUR HEARTS. LOVE ROSIE AND BOBBY
rose donofrio
November 27, 2012
Rosie,
Thank you for helping to put a great class Reunion of Bulkeley High together. YOu will be deeply missed. We were lucky to have you in the class of "64". Our prayers are with you Greg. May Rose be at peace now.
Bulkeley Class of "64"
November 27, 2012
Greg,
I was so shocked to hear of Rosie's passing. She will be deeply missed. I'm glad we got to know the two of you better. We did have good times at the Reunions. We will always remember her and her helpful ways. Joe will never forget when she made him that special thing of olives and homemade supersada. We loved her deeply. May God Bless her and you. I know she is one of our golden angels.
Ann & Joe Mazur
November 27, 2012
We will miss her at the SVO>
November 27, 2012
Greg-
My deepest condolences to you. We lost one of our angles. I will deeply miss my cousin.
Love,
Cousin Tommy
THOMAS GUZZO
November 27, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss, Greg. At least she is pain free and at peace. You are in my prayers.
Karen Pompea
November 27, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
November 27, 2012
You were always a life force with a smile that never quit! You will be remembered by many. My deepest sympathy to your family and friends. I will keep you in my thoughts, my prayers and my heart...
Beverly Namnoun
November 27, 2012
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers to all of you. May Ro rest in peace!
Grace & Quido D'Onofrio
November 27, 2012
Rosie - you will always be fondly remembered for your ready smile, quick wit, big laugh and best of all, that twinkle in your eye. I will miss you forever. Love you, Michelle.
Michelle Davis
November 27, 2012
Greg,
I was shocked to see the devasting news. I have several great memories with you and Rose.
Tenderly… may God's love heal your sorrow. Gently… may the prayers of friends ease your hurting. Softly… may God's peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories.
Lori (LT) Taylor Piascik
November 27, 2012
Greg:
I was so sorry to hear about Rose. My lasting memories of you and Rose attending all those wonderful parties, at the Maidas', will always occupy a very special place in my mind and heart. Be strong, and rely on the love and support of your family and friends to get you through this difficult time. God Bless - Tom McGuire
Tom McGuire
November 27, 2012
We are sorry to hear of Rose's passing. Our prayers are with you.
Bob Nucci
November 27, 2012
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. We grew up together in the South End and loved to get together at our Class reunions and laugh about all the great times we had in high school. Rose will be missed. She always made us laugh1 Peace Rose!
Linda and Gerry Horan
Class of '64
Linda Horan
November 27, 2012
A wonderful colleague who will be sincerely missed.
Rob Nelson
November 27, 2012
Your memory is as bright as this candlelight.
With Love from your friends in Deep River.
Joey Lockwood
November 27, 2012
To Sue and all the members of Rose's family please accept our condolences for your loss. She is now free of the pains of a terrible disease and should be at peace with her God.
Bill Albrecht
November 27, 2012
Rest in peace my dear old friend. We had our time in the sun. God bless your family during this very difficult time.
You will be missed.
Laura Granger
November 27, 2012
Greg, We know you will get through this. You are a survivor. I hope you know you are not alone. Great Lady, so sad, our deepest sympathy
Rick and Claudia
November 27, 2012
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