Rossi, Mary Barberio, 92, of Weston and Marion passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 6, 2016. Mary is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Diane M. Stone of Needham (children: Alexandra and Jessica; grandchildren: Jason, Leia, Luke, Ian, Brooklyn, and Sienna); Arthur J. Rossi and his wife Kathleen of South Natick (children: Rebecca and Emily); Cindy Rossi Greenberg and her husband Eric of Weston (children: Molly and Liza); and Peter A. Rossi of Sudbury (child: Olivia). She is also survived by her sister, Joanne Scarpato. Mary is reunited with her older sister, Theresa Aquilino and younger sister, Dorothy Barberio. She is now hand-in-hand with Arthur L. Rossi, her husband and best friend of 72 years, who fondly referred to his queen as “Mariuccia,” his greatest love.
Born in Calabria, Italy, Mary and her family immigrated to the United States in 1925 and settled in Newton, MA. She graduated from Newton High School in 1942 and married Arthur that same year. Always a smart, independent woman, Mary was a natural leader. She began her career as a bookkeeper and then went on to become president of the Women’s Community League of Weston, chaired the International Food Group of Weston, and volunteered at the Weston Council on Aging. She was also a long-time member of the Weston Golf Club. While always involved in the community, Mary’s greatest joy was summering at the Marion house surrounded by family. Her eagerness to always learn more was never lost with age. Her indelible wit remained intact for 92 wonderful years. She took up ukulele lessons at age 90, and at 91, she proudly wore her “I voted” sticker around town. Mary continued to expand her knowledge by reading books, newspapers, anything she could get her hands on. She was stubborn during dinner table debates because she knew what she knew and she was proud of her intellect.
The matriarch of a large Italian-American family, we were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Mary in her 92 years, among them: ~ Every day is a gift. Mary always reminded those around her that we choose our own destiny – to be positive or negative, light or grey, happy or sad. Choose the very best you and let that shine through. ~ Have acceptance, love and compassion for one another. This, Mary said, will allow you to have a close, impenetrable bond with the people most important to you. ~ Never settle for mediocre. Mary had high standards for those she loved because she believed that if you apply yourself, you can do anything you want to do in life. ~ Explore the world. Mary’s travels supplied her with countless adventures to share. Her journeys across the globe made her into the storyteller we all knew and loved. ~ A touch (or handful) of salt makes everything taste better. While in her later years she was not allowed to have sodium, Mary found a way around the rules – she hid salt in jewelry boxes. ~ Family first. No matter what. Mary shared this sentiment with her one true love: Arthur. ~ She was fiery, vivacious, a force to be reckoned with. Mary was one-of-a-kind. A queen. Our queen. Queen Mary.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt 16) Wellesley, on Wednesday August 10, at 10am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Julia Church, Weston at 11am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8pm. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Mary’s memory to the American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231.