Rose Bologna Mazon

Rose, Rosa, Rosie, Roey, Aunt Rose, Aunt Rae, Cousin Rose, Rosetta, Rosina, Mom, Grandma, Mamayaya ~ the various names to which she was fondly referred by friends and family ~ was born Rosa Bologna on February 10, 1928. Her parents, Pietro and Maria Bologna, immigrated to the United States from Castelgrande, Italy, passing through Ellis Island for a life with new opportunities. In New York City, and later in Greenwich, Connecticut, they built a family, a business and a home.

Rose, the middle daughter of six children, was born and raised in Greenwich. Pietro ran his own carpentry business while Maria focused on the home and the family. The Bolognas lived first on LeGrand Avenue in Central Greenwich where the siblings enjoyed playing with neighborhood children. In the Spring, young Rose liked to plant Morning Glories by the home's white fence. The six siblings and their cousins spent summer days at Island Beach, carrying homemade lunches of peppers and eggs or banana sandwiches.

The family later moved across town to a new home in Riverside designed and built by Pietro and his sons. The focal point of the new house was an extra-large kitchen, designed to suit the way the family gathered and celebrated everyday events, communally and casually. Meals drew on the family's Italian roots until the children were older, at which point they begged their mother to "cook American!" Regardless of culinary style, family meals were always served with homemade wine.

Rose attended Greenwich High School, where she focused on business classes. She also enjoyed art and hiking clubs after school. When she graduated in 1945, World War II was just ending, with many soldiers, including her eldest brother, still in the service. After graduation, Rose worked for First National Bank, figuring stock valuations by hand.

Rose met her husband Ed through his sister Marcella, a high school friend. After the couple married in 1953, they lived in Byram next door to Ed's parents. When their first daughter was born, Rose and Ed purchased a plot on the same small street where Pietro had built his family home. Pietro and his sons designed and built the house where the couple would raise their family of four daughters. Up the street, Rose's parents lived with their youngest daughter and her family. Visits between the two homes were a constant that continued through the present day.

After Rose began her family, that became her primary focus. She continued traditions learned from her mother, making family meals from pure, simple ingredients; in summer with fresh produce from Ed's backyard vegetable garden. During the holidays, she hosted large celebrations, extending the dining table into the living room to accommodate three generations of family. Beyond the home, she pursued a passion for art, taking classes in pastel drawing and pottery, and volunteering as an assistant in the art classes held at her children's school.

After Ed's retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling in the Western U.S., Canada and Europe, but their primary delight was enjoying the simple pleasures of their home, yard and peaceful, shaded porch. They doted on their cat, Buddy, until his death, after which they cultivated a new passion for bird-watching. After Ed died in 2010, Rose continued to maintain their home and host family get-togethers, eventually transitioning the cooking duties to her daughters.

Rose was supremely grateful to continue to live at the family home as she aged, supported by amazing live-in aides, Opal James and Andrine Jones. Their friendship and devotion provided endless joy, laughter and comfort to Rose in her final years.

Rose is survived by her loving daughters and their spouses: Brenda and Jan Chizinski of Pearl River, NY; Ann and Fred Conforti of Great Barrington, MA; Nancy and Charlie Keyes of Rowayton, CT; Martha Mazon and David Bonas of San Francisco, CA. She is also survived by her three devoted and cherished grandchildren: Tara Chizinski, Olivia Conforti, and Ethan Keyes.

Rose is pre-deceased by her brothers Frank, Michael and Joseph Bologna and sister Emma Pistininzi. Rose is survived by her younger sister, Edith Montpelier and Edith's children, Peter and Yvonne, both of whom gave Rose special love and support over the years. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Kathy and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins, including: Judy, Tom, Kristine, Marcia, Melissa, Loree, Peter as well as many dear grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, care providers and friends.

We all bid Rose a heartbroken but loving farewell, or as she liked to say in her later years, Bye Bye for Now!

Service details will be posted here when finalized.