Rosemarie (Dolci) Festa

Rosemarie Dolci Festa, 90, of Woodbridge, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024 at The Connecticut Hospice. She was the devoted wife of the late Julius (Junnie) Festa for over 63 years.

Rosemarie was born in New Haven on October 5, 1933, daughter of the late Angelo and Mary (Mazza) Dolci. After graduating from Hillhouse High School in New Haven in 1951, Rosemarie began her career in banking at the New Haven Savings Bank. On September 11, 1954, Rosemarie and Junnie married and made their home in Woodbridge, where they raised their family. Later, Rosemarie returned to work at Amity Bank and Trust, an experience that brought her many treasured friends.

Rosemarie had a lifelong love of music and books. As a young singer, she performed for local venues and radio stations in the New Haven area. In her later years, Rosemarie took great joy in curling up with a good mystery and sharing books from her ever-growing collection with her many friends and neighbors. The annual library book sale was a highly-anticipated event!

Rosie and Junnie were always the life of the party—they loved entertaining, and their door was always open. Rosemarie particularly enjoyed cooking for crowds and was known for her eggplant parmigiana, along with many other Italian favorites that have become the foundation for traditions for generations to come.

Rosemarie’s greatest passion, however, was her family. She will be forever remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, and adored grandmother to her daughters Kristine Festa and Pamela (Festa) Mangini; son-in-law Michael Mangini; granddaughter Melissa Mangini Gugliotta; and grandson-in-law Rob Gugliotta. Rosemarie was also very proud of her many nieces and nephews, and she cherished her frequent visits with them. Rosemarie was predeceased by a daughter, Angela Festa, and sister, Josephine D’Amico.

Friends may call at The Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St., New Haven, Sunday from 5pm to 7pm and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Assumption Church, 81 Center Rd., Woodbridge, Monday morning at 11:00. Interment will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to The Connecticut Hospice.

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