Rose Marie Bianchi

Bianchi, Rose Marie (nee. Berra) -- Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on November 3, 2017. Beloved wife of John Bianchi for 64 years; daughter of Louis G. Midge & Louise (nee. Calcaterra) Berra; sister of Louis (Barbara) Berra & John (Jackie) Berra; sister-in-law of Angelo (Marie) Bianchi; mother of John Jr., James (Barbara) Bianchi, Robert (Laura) Bianchi and Deborah (Stephen) Hilderbrand; dear grandmother of Angela (Daniel) Kane, Gina Bianchi, Christopher Bianchi, Anthony (Christina) Bianchi, Nicholas (Deanna) Bianchi, Brian (AJ) Hilderbrand, Joseph Hilderbrand, Alyssa Hilderbrand, Michael (Liz) Bianchi, and Rachel Bianchi. Great-grandmother of Emilia and Hope Bianchi. Aunt of Antoinette (nee. Bianchi) Poole, Angelo Bianchi Jr., Michael (Susie) Berra, Michelle (Jim) Bordoni, Marty Berra, Natalie (Berra) Spence, Laurie Berra, Karen Berra, Lydia Berra, Connie (Berra) Hollstein, Tina Berra. She was also a great-aunt, cousin and wonderful friend to many.

Rose was truly a presence in her family, in her parish, and in her community. When she was a young mother, Rose woke in the middle of the night and began checking on things around the house. She glanced out her window and saw that her neighbor was also up at this ungodly hour, washing clothes. It seemed strange, so the next day Rose called to check in. The woman’s husband had recently suffered a massive stroke, and there was no money for disposable pads to make less work for his wife.

From this conversation, the Sick and Elderly Program of the Hill was born. Rose took her idea to help her neighbors straight to the local parish priest. “I will do all the work,” she said, “but you have to accept the credit.” With this mantra and lots of prayer, Rose and her husband John slowly built the program, at first having to talk their proud Hill neighbors into accepting simple items like bed pads and diapers. Rose’s kind-but-firm nature eventually swayed her neighbors, and word of this much-needed service spread. With the end of the popular Hill Days, the program needed a fundraiser to help with the expenses. In came the annual BBQ and Craft Fair held at Berra Park. When Rose and John were finished worrying about the weather, they went back to the parish and it was determined that the dinner would be Ravioli and Beef and would be held in the school cafeteria. When Rose and John began the Annual Ravioli Dinner at St. Ambrose to fund the program, Rose hand-rolled all the pasta and carefully simmered the sauce. Under Rose’s careful guidance the past 45 years, the Bianchi family and countless volunteers still work to provide and personally deliver all hospital equipment and supplies ranging from diapers to wheelchairs, etc. to their Hill neighbors in need. To date, Rose and John have cared for over 4,000 neighbors in need.

Rose rightfully received recognition over the years for her work with Sick and Elderly Program. She has received 3 Missouri Community Betterment Awards - one being Woman of the Year. She was the honoree in the local Columbus Day Parade, and was given the Mother Clelia Merloni Legacy Award by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus community. Even with the accolades, she always preferred to stick to her original, humble statement. “She would never accept credit,” John says. “Not for anything.”

While her dedication to her community was inspiring, it pales in comparison to her fierce love of family. Perhaps this is why everybody, family or not, called her “Grandma”. She was a force of love and goodness, unafraid to tell you exactly what she thought or to shove all the leftovers into your hands on your way out from dinner. With grace and mercy, she took care of her parents and brothers in their final days, and up until her own passing took flowers to her mother’s and in-laws’ graves every holiday season. She raised 4 children and spoke with them nearly every day. Attending many soccer games, music recitals, weekly dinners, and Christmas mornings, Rose lived for her 10 grandchildren, and was able to watch 8 of them graduate from college, 4 get married, and 2 begin families of their own. Her great-granddaughters, Hope and Emilia, were her light and joy, her living room mantel dedicated to several of their baby pictures. Rose lived by her unwavering faith in God, and will be remembered as an example of just how far small acts of kindness can spread.

Services for Rose will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Visitation 9:00 am until time of funeral Mass 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sick and Elderly Program of the Hill at www.sickandelderly.com. Condolences may be offered at www.calcaterrafuneral.com.