Florence M. DeRosia

Florence M. DeRosia, age 77, of Brattleboro, Vermont, passed away on December 21, 2012, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She was a recent resident of Thompson House but formerly lived on Clark Avenue.

Born on July 16, 1935 in Hinsdale, New Hampshire to parents Domenico and Rose Mannarino, her early years were spent growing up in Brattleboro and then on a farm with her sisters and her parents in Hinsdale; her parents later moved back to Brattleboro.

She graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1953 and later went on to continue her education at Elliot Community Hospital of Nursing in Keene, New Hampshire.

On May 14, 1955, she married the love of her earthly and eternal life, Ernest L. DeRosia at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale. Ernie and Florence were married for 30 years and raised their two children, Victoria and Michelle, in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Shortly after her marriage began, she began working at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital as a lab technician and nurse's aid. She later worked as a bookkeeper at a number of local businesses, including Clapp's Sporting Goods, the Brattleboro Mutual Aid Association, the Town of Brattleboro, the United Way of Windham County, and, at one of her last places of employment, Partners in International Education & Training, World Learning Inc.

Florence was a simple woman with a big heart and a generous spirit. Her interests and activities over the years included reading (most importantly), as well as music, swimming, vacationing, knitting, word puzzles, visiting with close friends, and working or playing bingo. Her favorite place to be, other than home, was anywhere near water, especially the ocean. Above all else, Florence most enjoyed her family: her daughters and daughter-in-law, her son-in-law, and her grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than when all of her family was together in one place.

Florence was predeceased by her husband Ernie, as well as her parents and a younger sister. She is survived by her daughter Victoria and her life partner Laurie and their two children, Mikaela and Jaden; her daughter Michelle and her husband Ken, and children Steven, Anna, Kristina, Travis, Brianna, and step-granddaughter Ashley; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Mary M. Smith (wife of the late Ed Smith), several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Interment will be at St. Michael's Cemetery. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for use in the Ernest L. DeRosia Scholarship Fund.