Marilyn Joan (DiSilva) Rossetti of Chester passed away Monday, May 8th, 2017 with her family at her side. Known to many as “Mimi,” Marilyn spent her youth in Somerville and Winchester, Ma. and graduated from Winchester High School. She married John Rossetti and with their 3 daughters moved from Medford, Ma. To the community of Chester, NH. Mimi immediately became involved in several groups in town including the Chester Historical Society, Rockingham Herb Society, and the Friends of the Chester Library.
She was very involved in her church communities over the years. Marilyn was musical, creative, artistic and kind. She was a generous person with a big heart that would give of her time and talents without looking for thanks or credit. Every Christmas she anonymously gifted food or money to a business or service company that had been kind to her throughout the year. She was always ready to laugh and had a penchant for “causing trouble” in whatever setting she was in. She could frequently be caught “dancing” in the aisles of Wal-Mart or Market Basket when certain songs came on the loudspeaker.
She was not a stranger to hard work and was the founder or co-founder of several events and groups such as the “Christmas in Chester” craft tour and Ladies Day Apart at Calvary Bible Church. She was also a longtime member of “The Sonshine Sisters.” She opened her home for not only for the Christmas craft tour but Historical house tours as well. Mimi loved to decorate and was always a gracious hostess. She was a great cook/baker as well and was the cook for the Chester Lion’s Club for several years. She was also named the Lion’s Club Woman of the Year in 2013. Marilyn was also the co-owner with her daughter of “Reflections of Chester” Restaurant in Chester.
Marilyn was the epicenter of her family and always supported whatever endeavors her girls were involved in, whether it was helping out at the Firehouse, the Library, or cheering on her grandson at his baseball games, she was always willing to help out, not only her family, but her friends and the community of Chester as well. Marilyn worked for several years as an aide for the Chester Public Library and for the Town of Chester as a Ballot clerk.
She had a fighting spirit, a giving heart, a fabulous sense of humor, and a positive attitude. She would not dwell on the negative things in her life and preferred to talk about happy times and not her troubles or her illness.
She was predeceased by her husband John and her daughter Lisa yet she kept her spirits up and enjoyed her life and her home and times spent with her daughters’, Lori and Melissa. Her pride and joy however was her Grandson R.J. currently serving in the United States Navy. Mimi and R.J. shared a special bond, many adventures, & a lot of Lobster! Marilyn loved to take the long, winding country roads when she went out, she loved to sit by the rocks in Rye, and she loved to go “treasure hunting.” Most of all she loved her life, her home and her family. She left her mark on her friends and her community and is now at home with her Savior and we are sure she is singing and dancing with the angels.
Marilyn is survived by her sister, Janet Carney and her brother, Charles DiSilva. Her daughters Lori Child of Chester, her daughter Melissa Folini and her husband Michael Folini of Chester. Her grandson R.J. Child of Chester and many nieces, nephews and friends. Whenever you think of our Mom, “we hope you dance.”
Calling hours were held on Monday May 15, 2017 from 4 – 7 pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH. Funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2:00 pm in the funeral home. The burial followed in Great Hill Cemetery, Chester.