Rosemarie M. (Covino) Neilson

Rosemarie M. Neilson, of Norwich, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, at Avalon Health Care Center in Mystic, CT, where she had been a resident for almost three years.

Born on February 24, 1943, in Boston, Massachusetts, she was the beloved daughter of Samuel J. Covino and Margaret DiBlasi Covino.

Rosemarie was a gifted and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who was a graduate of UCONN school of Social Work with a Masters of Social Work Degree. She worked at William W. Backus Hospital for almost 30 years. In addition to her employment she also maintained a private practice, touching countless lives, adults, families and children with empathy, compassion, and dedication.

Her talents extended far beyond her professional life. For over a decade, she sang with the Cecilia Chorus and the St. Patrick’s Choir at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, sharing her beautiful soprano voice and love of sacred religious music. She was a published author of two books, an award-winning chef, and at age 18, was recognized by Vogue magazine for her fashion sense. She worked at John Myers of Norwich and also taught sewing and fashion design at Singer Company in Boston, Mass.

She was the devoted wife of the late Robert A. Neilson (1937–2009); loving mother to Robin Maria Pedrero and her husband Orlando Pedrero, and the late Lisa Ann Neilson (1965–2012); and cherished sister of Samuel Covino, aunt to his daughters, the late Kaylie Thomas and Nicole Kostic. She was also the sister of the late Margaret (Covino) Yeater (1945–2025) and her husband John, and aunt to their children, Wendy Tuck and John Yeater Jr.

Rosemarie was a proud grandmother to Tahra Parmee, Josephine Parker, Elise Alava, and Daniel Pedrero, and great-grandmother to Landon Parmee, whom she adored.

Her warmth, creativity, and zest for life will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

A Catholic Mass celebrating her life will be held on Friday, November 7th at 10:00 AM St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be given to Saint Patrick Cathedral in her name.