Rose Marie Zamzes, 91, of 248 Fort Hill Road, Groton, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 18, 020. She was born on June 29, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to the late James O'Malley and the late Marie (Buchburger) O'Malley.
Rose was married on October 4, 1954 to Theodore Charles Zamzes in Groton, where they lived in the Groton/Mystic area.
Mrs. Zamzes was also predeceased by her brothers, James O'Malley, Lawrence O'Malley and sisters Terri Fochs and Renee Herrick.
Rose grew up in Chicago during the Great Depression until both her parents passed away whenRose was only twelve years old, then lived on her grandparents' farm in Wisconsin near Marathon. Later on, Rose became a nurse at the Catholic hospital in Portage, Wisconsin until she was married and was a stay-at-home mother.
In July 1951 Rose traveled with her girlfriends to the Grand Canyon, crossing the Canyon on mules. Rose's mule's name was...Rosie. In 1960 Rose was diagnosed with cancer and was one of the first eighteen people to undergo the experimental surgery of that time period in Minneapolis, Minnesota, successfully surviving cancer. Roasee was an avid bowler, participating in the Ladies Night Out League in 1966-1967 at the Holiday Bowl in Groton, where her team won the championship and she also bowled a high single game of 199.
Rose is survived by her son, James Zamzes, her daughter, Grace Chapman and her husband Wallace; seven Grandchildren, Christopher Zamzes, Olivia Zamzes, Meredith Zamzes, Lindsay Santos and her husband Aaron, Rose Dawson, James Counts and his wife Rebecca, and Stephanie Neidle and her husband, Terrence; six great grandchildren; a twin brother, Kenneth O'Malley.
There will be no service or visitation.
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