Rose Willard

Rose Willard 1924-2011 BENNINGTON, VT Rose Willard, 86, of Bennington, Vt. passed away on March 16th after a brief illness surrounded by her family. Her compassion for her family and kindness will be missed by everyone. She was born in Troy, N.Y. on April 15, 1924. She was the daughter of Anthony and Lena Carelli and grew up in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., he married Bob Willard on October 14, 1948 and lived all of her life in Bennington, Vt. Her proudest accomplishment was her 63 year marriage to loving husband and the successes of her sons Stephen, Rob and Mark and her grandchildren. Rose was the driving force in two family businesses, the Bennington Lanes, and the Bennington Drive-in Theater. She was the bookkeeper for both businesses and could add a column of figures faster than a calculator with incredible accuracy. The Carelli family pizza recipe served in these establishments was enjoyed by many patrons. In retirement, Rose became a master gardener and loved to grow flowers and share her knowledge. Always an entrepreneur, she started a perennial business and many of her plants grace gardens all across Bennington. Her Colorado family remembers a day in Rocky Mountain National Park where she was able to identify the field of western wildflowers using the Latin names. Her family was important to her and she was preceded in death by Anthony Carelli, her father, Lena Carelli, her mother and her sister, Jane Fay . She is survived by her husband Bob Willard; her sons, Stephen and his wife, Kathleen, Rob and Mark; her sister, Mary Alonzo and her brothers Dominic and Frank Carelli and her precious grandchildren; Kristen Carico of Durango, Colo., Brad Willard of New York City, Matthew Willard of Norwalk, Conn., Amy Willard of Washington, D.C., Katie and John Willard of Boulder, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews. FUNERAL NOTICE: Friends may call at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. when the family will be in attendance. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Should friends desire memorial contributions in Rose Willard's memory may be made to Southwestern Vermont Health Care through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201. On line condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net