Rose "Dolly" Klein

KLEIN, ROSE PEZZANITI of Orlando died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 at age 91. Born Oct. 23, 1920 in Tarrytown, N.Y. to Joseph P. and Angelina (Margotta) Pezzaniti, she graduated from high school in Middletown, N.Y. in 1938 and in 1944 married former classmate Edward Klein. After his Navy service, she helped put “Eddie” through the dairy science program at Cornell University. They moved to Orlando in 1949 and raised three daughters: Mrs. Sandra (William) Dunn, Orlando; Mrs. Karen (Robert) Kerr, Raleigh, N.C. and Mrs. Sharon (Dr. Charles) Martin, New Smyrna Beach. Later in life, Rose would call her children “my life’s crowning achievement.” She was “Dolly” to many, a nickname coined by nurses at her pre-mature birth – it stuck for life. She will be remembered by her daughters and other family members as a loving, selfless mother and “Grammy” … for her sweet disposition, gentle spirit, virtuous patience and stuffed peppers. She attributed her longevity to faith in God and ability to get along with others. In childhood Rose had an aptitude for music, language and art. She learned piano by ear from her dad, wrote poetry, sketched and painted until her vision declined late in life. A longtime school secretary at Englewood Elementary, she was the first person to encourage her husband to consider teaching, a tip that led to a 26-year career at Glenridge Junior High in Winter Park. After their children left the nest, Rose sold homes for O’Dell Realty. When Ed suffered several strokes in retirement, she cared for him before losing him in 2004. Despite the onset of her dementia, she laughed and smiled nearly every day, danced and sang some too, in the loving arms of Martha Matthews, who served “Miss Dolly” as her eyes, ears and memory since 2005. Rose was pre-deceased in death by her husband and siblings Joseph Pezzaniti, Jr. and Antoinette (Pezzaniti) Adcock. She is survived by her adult children and one sister, Eleanor (Pezzaniti) Henry, East Haven, CT; five grandchildren: Dr. William Dunn, Orlando; Jenna (Ashley) Robinson and Nick Ashley, both of Raleigh, N.C.; Erin Martin, Heathrow; and Brooke (Martin) Bradford, of Palm City; and six great-grandchildren. Donations may be sent to Share the Care, 1010 Arthur Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804 or the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090. Arrangements are entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.