Laura Rotella

RUTLAND -- Laura (Bottomley) Rotella died on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at The Meadows in Rutland, after a long illness, and with her loving family by her side. She was born on Jan. 25, 1922, in Huddersfield, England, the daughter of Edgar and Rebecca (Bradley) Bottomley.

Laura came to the United States as a child. After graduating from high school in Hornell, New York, she enlisted in the United States Navy Waves, trained as a dental hygienist at Hunter College, and served during the Second World War.

She married Guido "Guy" Rotella in 1947, moved to his hometown of Rutland, and raised her family there. When her children were grown, Laura returned to work, and was employed for many years by the University of Vermont Extension Service.

After her retirement, she took up golf, developed sufficient skill to place well in tournaments for her age group, and, with her characteristic modesty and reserve, took great pleasure in the competitive and, especially, social aspects of the Rutland Country Club.

Meanwhile, as a remarkable cook and gardener, an adept amateur painter, and an unstintingly affectionate presence, she burnished the nourishing home life she created for her husband, her children and her extended family, enjoying impromptu and holiday gatherings at home, as well as winters in Florida and trips to visit family in California, Massachusetts, Montana and Virginia.

Laura is survived by her husband; her five children Guy (and Mary Jane Marro) Rotella, of Belmont, Massachusetts, Robert (and Darlene Avery) Rotella, of Keswick, Virginia, Susan (and Stephen) Biro, of Concord, Massachusetts, Mary Anne Rotella (and Mark Butler), of San Francisco, California, and Jay (and Martha Riley) Rotella, of Bozeman, Montana; by her granddaughters Casey (Rotella) Baruzzini and Sophia Rotella; and by great-grandchildren Lucia, Maximilian, Laura, Thomas, George, Maria and Elena Baruzzini.

She was predeceased by her brothers Edgar Bottomley and Frank Bottomley.

Funeral arrangements are by Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland, where calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The funeral Mass will be at St. Peter's Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with burial in Calvary Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Laura Rotella's name may be made to The Meadows, the Nature Conservancy, or St. Peter's Church.