Obituary of Roseanne Massaro Lombardo

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Roseanne “Rosie” Massaro Lombardo, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Rosie, an avid traveler, embarked on her final voyage on June 13, 2023. She was 73 years young.

Rosie was born to Jeremiah and Eleanor Massaro in Hartford, CT on June 28, 1949. She treasured her daily talks with her mother, who taught her to love, laugh, and cook. As the only daughter in a family of seven, she enjoyed a strong bond with her father throughout the years.

Her warm smile, infectious laughter, and adventurous spirit inspired the lives of the many people she encountered. Rosie was deeply committed to helping others, which she did as the leader of the community service program at The Loomis Chaffee School for 17 years. Prior to that, Rosie worked for the State of Connecticut as a Probation Officer, where she became active in a number of civic organizations. Rosie exemplified servant leadership.

Rosie was most happy when relaxing at the beach with her friends asking them numerous questions about all aspects of their lives. Nobody was more curious – or inquisitive – about others. She particularly adored Block Island and Hawks Nest, where she would lounge on the beach until sunset with her fiction books and crossword puzzles. When Rosie wasn’t relaxing at the beach, she was busy traveling the world with her son, Jonathan, and her many friends. She was fond of saying “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”

Rosie was a social butterfly. She boasted a large group of friends, which she acquired at every destination of her life. She was famous for her love of birthday parties, Christmas parties, and beach parties. She always seized the opportunity to dress up – or in the case of her 60th birthday “dress down” – and to be first on the dance floor to “cut the rug.”  She was renowned for her cheerful laughter, easy humor, and understated sarcasm. She often said she was her “own best audience.”

Rosie was lucky to live in a big Italian family with four boisterous brothers and countless cousins. Sunday dinners were peppered with lively conversation and salted with the occasional “minor disagreement,” but always served with a healthy portion of love, laughter, and joy. Family was the main course in her life.

Rosie was also a devoted mother and grandmother. The bond she shared with her son, Jonathan, was one of pure love and affection, and her presence in his life will forever be treasured. Rosie and Jonathan were also best friends, travel partners, and enthusiastic foodies. Later in life, Rosie was overjoyed to welcome a precious granddaughter, Sadie Rose, into her world. Rosie and Sadie instantly developed a profound connection that fulfilled Rosie’s lifelong desire to be a “grammy.” Sadie and Rosie shared many of the same traits, including a vivacious spirit and endless appetite for family and fun.

Roseanne is survived by her son, Jonathan Lombardo (Louisa Roeder); her granddaughter, Sadie; and her four brothers, Jerry Massaro (Carol Massaro), Anthony Massaro (Valerie Massaro), John Massaro (Nanki Otukile), and Marty Massaro. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: AJ, Brittany, Lisa, and Abby. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Eleanor and Jerry Massaro, her close cousins, Eleanor and Michael “Mayor Mike” Peters, and, finally, her famous pug, Sabrina.

A visitation to celebrate Roseanne's life will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 4-7 PM at Tierney Funeral Home in Manchester 219 W Center St, Manchester, CT 06040. Special thank you to Tom and Kathy Tierney for their enduring love and support.

The funeral services will be held at St. Augustine's Church in Hartford, CT on Saturday morning at 10 AM, followed by a burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity that supports research into the cure for Parkinson’s Disease, a condition Roseanne bravely fought.  For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.