Rose Marie (Fontana) Villanucci, age 90, longtime Medford resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22nd at Melrose/Wakefield Hospital. Born in Boston’s North End, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Baglio) Fontana. Rose lived in Somerville for several years, and was employed at Jordan Marsh in Boston where she was well-loved. She later worked at Zayre’s and Mister Donut in Medford, and in her free time enjoyed sewing, cooking, and most of all spending time with her family.
Rose was the beloved wife of the late Benny J. Villanucci, and the devoted mother of Donna Villanucci of Medford, Elaine Keshian and her husband James of North Andover, Joseph A Villanucci of Medford, and Rosanne Coit and her husband Michael of Medford. She was the loving grandmother of Jaclyn Jester and her husband Paul, and Jason, Samantha, Marissa and Ben. Rose was the great grandmother of Iris Elaine Jester, and dear sister of Joseph Fontana and his wife Helen of Saugus, the late Nunzio and Rocco Fantana, the late Vincent “Jimmy” Fontano and Rosario Fontana, and the late Josephine Della Pelle and her surviving husband Mario. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with her family in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Monday, April 29th, from 4 through 6 PM, and again on Tuesday, April 30th at 9 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, at 10 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.