Rose Graziani, 101

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Rose Marie Graziani, 101, of 100 Main Street, Cheshire, died Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at her home. The oldest resident of Cheshire, she was soon to be honored by the town with the traditional cane to celebrate her accomplishment.

Born in Cheshire on October 21, 1915, the daughter of Pietro and Rosa Pasini Massacani, she was educated in Cheshire and Adams schools and was a graduate of North Adams Normal School, later known as North Adams State Teachers College, and now, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Mrs. Graziani taught 40 years in the Cheshire/Adams-Cheshire School System. She began her career in 1938 at the Pumpkin Hook School in East Cheshire School, a one-room school house where there was no heat, electricity or indoor plumbing. In 1939, she taught Grades 4 and 5 at the Cheshire Center School, leaving in 1940 when she married, as married women were not permitted to teach. In 1945, she returned to teaching, where she taught Grade 1 at the Cheshire Center School. She taught until 1981 when she retired after 40 years of teaching. 

Following her retirement until she was well into her 80s, she substituted in the Lanesborough Elementary School, where the students fondly called her “Mrs. G.” She taught Italian immigrants in the Scrabbletown section of Cheshire, including her own parents, to read and write English, and about United States government, so they could pass the two tests necessary to get their citizenship papers. 

Mrs. Graziani worked in the family store, Graziani Bros., in Cheshire. She was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church. She enjoyed time spent with her family and extended family.

Her husband, Monsuette “Nick” J. Graziano, whom she married August 26, 1940, died August 16, 2000.

Mrs. Graziani is survived by two daughters, Amelia Leitch and her husband, Charles, of  Naples, Fla., and Cheshire, and their daughter, Cheryl Ann Leitch of Naples, Fla., and daughter Roberta Bassi and her husband, Edward, and their daughter, Jorden-Camille Bassi and her fiancé, Corey Sylvester; as well as a brother, Charles “Ciso” Massaconi of Cheshire; a sister, Edna Gregory of Cheshire; and her longtime caregiver, Dollie Biagini of Cheshire.

She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Peter Massacani, Michael Massaconi, Rita Sinopoli, Marie Kucka, and Emma Massaconi.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Rose Marie Graziani will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m., at St. Mary of the Assumption Church celebrated by Rev. Matthew Guidi, Pastor. Burial will follow in Cheshire Cemetery. 

There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of the Assumption Church or to the Cheshire Fire Department both in care of Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home.