Rose Marie Mazza

Rose Marie Mazza, 89, of Ithaca, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.



A life-long resident of Ithaca, Rose - or Rosie, as she was known to family and friends - was quick to laugh and enjoyed the occasional cocktail. Her large Italian family and her Catholic faith were central to her happiness. Many would say, though, that her greatest love was dancing. As an especially nimble jitterbugger - having studied at the Arthur Murray Studios - she could turn any flat surface into a dance floor.



Rose graduated from Immaculate Conception School and Ithaca High School. She worked for New York Telephone where she was an operator for twenty-five years. When many telephone company operations were moved out of Ithaca in the 1970s, she retired early rather than transfer to Syracuse.



Rose was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church of Ithaca.



She was predeceased by her parents, Antonio Mazza and Maria Tomaino Mazza, her brothers, Ralph, John, and Joseph Mazza, and her sister, Philomena Werner. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Angelina and William Kinghorn, of Roseville, California, and sister-in-law Marjorie Mazza, of Ithaca. Her nieces and nephews also survive (in birth order): Karen Werner (Charles Stanton), Debby Vidt (Edward), Jack Mazza (Marguerite), Tom Werner, Lyn Mazza, Jim Mazza (Nancy Osborn), and Sue Mazza as well as her great nephews and nieces: Lori Wilder (Nick), Brian Vidt, and Dylan Covert.



Funeral arrangements are by Bangs Funeral Home of Ithaca, where calling hours will be held on Saturday, February 27, at 10 a.m., followed by a prayer service led by Fr. Jeff Tunnicliff at 11 a.m.



In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Immaculate Conception School (320 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY 14850), the Immaculate Conception Church of Ithaca (113 North Geneva Street, Ithaca, NY 14850), or the charity of one's choice.

Visitation prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.

Saturday, February 27, 2016 11:00 AM

Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850

Visitation prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.