WEBSTER – Rosemary (Puchta) Pelc, 75, died Tuesday, August 1, 2023 in UMass/Memorial Healthcare University Campus in Worcester after a brief illness with her family at her side.
She leaves 3 children, Patricia A. Salvas of Webster, Donald E. Leighton, Sr. of Putnam, CT and Richard C. “Richie” Leighton and his companion Esther Aldarawcheh of Putnam, CT; 10 grandchildren, Melanie, Danielle and her husband Nick, Patrick, Trisha, Donald, Jr., Jonathan, Justin, Brandon, Richard, Jr. and Katrina; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Leonard Gagliardi and his wife Jeannie of Texas; a sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Puchta of Tennessee; her best friends, Sheila Davern and Anna Erwin; her former son-in-law and good friend, Daniel Salvas of Sutton; and many acquaintances.
She was born on June 5, 1948 in Southbridge, a daughter of Emil and Louise (Gagliardi) Puchta and lived in West Brookfield and Palmer. She attended Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge. She has lived in Webster since 1968.
For the majority of her life, she was a homemaker. She also worked several jobs including being an order picker at Filene’s Basement in Auburn.
She enjoyed playing cards especially cribbage, socializing, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 6, in Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street. Donations in her name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.