Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rosa Linarello Simeri

March 28, 1900 - Jan. 6, 2000

Soiuth Bend Tribune 1/9/2000

Rosa Linarello Simeri, 99, died of natural causes at 6:10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, in the Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1121 E. LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, Ind., where she had resided since 1996. She had resided a good portion of her life on Hill Street in South Bend.

She was born on March 28, 1900, to Nicola and Teresa Linarello in Gioiosa Ionica, Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy.

On Jan. 22, 1927, she married Rocco Simeri in Gioiosa Ionica. He died on Dec. 12, 1973. Two of her five sons preceded her in death. Nicholas (Dema) died on Feb. 16, 1973, and Albert (Arlene) died on Nov. 10, 1985. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Rocco (Teresa) Linarello of South Bend and Nicola Linarello of Rome. She was preceded in death by her sister, Josephine (Ferraro), a victim of the Andrea Doria ship sinking in 1956.

She is survived by three sons, Joseph (Rosalie), Patrick (Josey), and Rocco (Patricia Schlarb); one daughter, Rose Mary Wray (C. Edward Wray, Jr.); and by 25 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Natalie Simeri and Carmella Ferraro.

Rosa and her husband Rocco were responsible for sponsoring numerous immigrants from the old country. It was not unusual for her to be feeding many more souls than just her own immediate six children and husband. After raising her family, along with many other relatives and friends, she embarked on a career of cooking for her sons, Patrick and Nicholas, who had opened Nicola's Restaurant in 1956. So at a time when most people start thinking of what they would like to do when they retire, Rosa was just beginning her second career at the age of 56. Affectionately known to all as Mamma or Nana, she retired from Nicola's in 1987 after 31 years of service. Many of her special dishes were missed after she retired.

She really enjoyed playing Bingo and kept various relatives busy providing her with transportation. She also enjoyed periodic shopping trips to Chicago with her sisters and daughter; however, her idea of shopping in Chicago was a trip to the Food Market, where she could find specialty items that were not available in South Bend.

Rosa will be remembered for her many qualities but, most of all, for her love for her children and grandchildren. She lived with her daughter and her family for twenty years prior to moving to Cardinal in 1996. May she rest in peace.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 N. Hill Street, South Bend, presided by The Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, Auxiliary Bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese.

Visitation will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 9, in the McGann Funeral Home, University Area, 2313 Edison Road, South Bend. Burial will take place in the family plot at Highland Cemetery.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Heart Fund or to Hospice of St. Joseph County.