Loving and devoted to her family; enjoyed traveling and made friends easily
NORTH READING — Rose Marie (Fruciano) Vitale, 84, of North Reading, passed away peacefully and in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by family on June 9, 2022.
Rose was a loving and devoted wife, proud and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to many throughout her life.
Rose Marie was born in the West End of Boston on September 27, 1937, to the late Salvatore (Sam) and Gaetana (Tina Bettinelli) Fruciano. She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Stephen Vitale, of North Reading, and their three children, Jo (DiFranco) Ridgley and her husband, Mark, of Haverhill; TinaMarie (DiFranco) Hemmer and her husband, Lawrence, of Mt. Airy, Md., and Stephen Vitale Jr. and his wife, Christine Vitale of Pepperell.
Rose was Grammy to Brandi and her fiancé, Matt, Shane, Cori and her husband Doug, Kristi and her husband Ashish, Victoria, and DJ. She was Great Grammy to four great-grandchildren; all having special places in her heart.
Rose is also survived by her two brothers, Joseph and his wife Charlotte Fruciano and Bernard Fruciano and his husband Peter van den Noort. She also leaves behind aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Rose loved time spent with her family. What others would perceive as bragging was Rose expressing how proud she was of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, visiting many countries, cruising, as well as touring the U.S. She was a talker, talking with friends and strangers who quickly became friends. Her pastimes included playing cards (she did not like to lose), baking, and she kept the librarians at Flint Memorial Library busy with all her requests for books.
Her working career was spent at General Electric/Ametek in Wilmington until she retired in 1997. As a senior she worked for the town of North Reading in the schools making copies for teachers, as a greeter at the town hall, and she always volunteered to work elections on voting days.
Rose Marie will be missed by all.
Visiting hours were held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, June 14 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Rose’s honor, to her favorite charity. Donations can be sent to Smile Train, https://donate.smiletrain.org. Smile Train is a nonprofit organization and charity providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
