Rosena Powers

Rosena (Buonanduci) Powers, 99

Swampscott - Rosena (Buonanduci) Powers, age 99, of Swampscott, died Saturday in the Kaplan Family Hospice House, in Danvers, after a brief illness. Born and raised in Swampscott, she was one of four children of the late Francesco and Filomena (Cangi) Buonanduci.

Rosena (Rose) was born in a home, a couple doors down from her family home, that she would then live her whole life. She was the first in her family to be born in the United States, after her parents came from Italy in 1921.

After graduating Swampscott High School, Rose proudly worked for the War Effort, making filaments for the light bulbs for the submarines, at Sylvania, in Salem, MA. She then continued to work at Sylvania, retiring to take care of her mother full time at home, when she became ill.

Rose loved her family, friends, and faith deeply. She was an active communicant of Holy Family Parish in Lynn, and was a member of the Ladies Sodality.

She was a wonderful caregiver to her family. Not having children of her own, she was always helping and there for all her nieces and nephews, her greats and also, her great greats, and loving their spouses, as well. Rose even helped to raise her nephew Francis, and in later years, he and his wife Diane would return to the family home to help her.

Rose loved, to read, cook, bake, dance, travel (returning to visit the town her family is from, Forenza) sew, music and attending concerts (she saw Sinatra in concert) walk, summertime, and even line danced until she was 92. She also loved her crossword puzzles that she did faithfully in the Lynn Item, to keep sharp. The family will also remember her fondly for always having a big mug of tea. Rose loved Christmas Eve, as well and preparing traditional Italian foods and baked goods, from scratch. She showed her love in so many ways.

Rose leaves behind many adoring and loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and she is Godmother to several, as well. She is the sister of the late Antonio, Guy and Michele Buonanduci.

Rose will be deeply missed as the Matriarch of her family, she was a wonderful storyteller and was always eager to show the family photo albums.

Rosena had an "una bella vita", a beautiful life.

The Buonanduci family would like to thank the dedicated and compassionate staff of Kaplan Family Hospice, for the exceptional care given to her and allowing Rosena to have a peaceful passing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923 or to charity of your choice, in her memory.

Service Information: Her funeral will be held on Monday at 10AM from the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean St (Rt 1A), Lynn, followed by a funeral mass in Holy Family Church, Lynn at 11AM. Burial will be in Swampscott Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Sunday from 2-6PM. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com