Rose E. McCormick

Rose E. DiStasio McCormick passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, at the remarkable age of 104. She was born on October 31, 1921, in Revere, Massachusetts, to the late Revere City Councilor Samuel DiStasio and the civically devoted Anna Generazzo DiStasio.

Rose was raised in Revere, a city she cherished and later returned to in order to raise her own family. In her early years, she proudly recalled her time as a traveling contortionist-dancer following her education - a chapter of her life that reflected her adventurous spirit and love of performance. During this period, she endured profound loss with the tragic deaths of her brothers, Peter and Arthur, who passed away just one week apart while serving in the armed forces during World War II.

Rose lived in Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., alongside her first husband, James H. Hitaffer, during his service in the United States Navy. Together they welcomed two sons, whom she loved deeply: her surviving son, Arthur Hitaffer, and her late son, James H. Hitaffer II. Rose later found lasting love with her second husband, Russell McCormick, with whom she shared 53 devoted years of marriage.

Throughout her life, Rose worked in several careers, including at Russo's Chocolate Shop, after retiring from American Optical in Chelsea MA, where she provided product quality assurance. After Russell's retirement from the Boston Police Department, the couple divided their time between Massachusetts and their second home in Naples, Florida. In her later years, Rose resided in Naples, where she remained socially active and deeply connected to her community. She organized the women's golf league, played bocce and cards with many friends, and found great joy in the friendships she cultivated there. She also served as President of a ladies' golf club and enjoyed her membership in the Red Hat Society.

Active and engaged at every stage of life, Rose traveled extensively, with memorable trips to Aruba, Italy, and a cruise through the Panama Canal. When closer to home, she delighted in dancing, golf, and cards with both longtime and newfound friends. Above all, Rose expressed her love through cooking - especially by sharing her cherished desserts.

Though modest by nature, Rose possessed a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling that brought warmth and laughter wherever she went. She remained young at heart throughout her long life - even attempting to ride a bicycle well into her nineties - and she maintained a true zest for life right up to the very end.

Rose was predeceased by her parents; her son, James; her husband, Russell; her sister, Mae DiStasio Masci; and her brothers, Peter, Arthur, Richard, and Edward DiStasio.

She is survived by her sister, Caroline DiStasio Freeman; her brother, Robert DiStasio; her son, Arthur Hitaffer; her grandchildren, Arthur "Butch" Hitaffer, Kimberly Hitaffer Perez, Victoria Hitaffer Dimino, Sabrina Hitaffer, and James G. Hitaffer; her great-grandchildren, Michael Perez, Christopher Perez, Nicholas Perez, John "JJ" Dimino, and Gia Dimino; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes Parish, 22 Boston St. Middleton, Massachusetts, on Saturday, December 27, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rose's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, her favorite charity. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Mackey Funeral Home, Middleton. For online condolences please visit www.mackeyfuneralhome.com.