Rosa M. Arcuri

Waltham - Mrs. Rosa M. (Fragale) Arcuri, of Waltham, died Monday, February 18, 2013, at home. She was 64.

Rosa was born in Fronti, Calabria, Italy, on December 10, 1948. She was the oldest daughter of eleven children of Edoardo and Angelina (Godino) Fragale and immigrated to the United States in 1971. On March 11, 1973, at Sacred Heart Church in Waltham, she married Vincent A. Arcuri.

Being the oldest child, she was a second mother to her siblings. In Italy, she taught young girls how to sew, and in the States, she used her skills as a seamstress at Yolanda's in Waltham. True to her rich Italian heritage, she was a fantastic cook, and she loved making gnocchi with her granddaughters and feeding the students at the Bentley University cafeteria. She enjoyed gardening and took great pride in caring for her home inside and out. She loved to travel, and her frequent trips to Lourdes are a testament to her strong faith. Above all, Rosa loved her family and friends, and she cherished her time with them, whether it be at holiday gatherings, Friday-night bingo, or over a meal in her home, which she was only too happy to prepare.

In addition to her husband of almost 40 years, Vincent, she leaves her children, John R. Arcuri and his wife, Alessandra, of Framingham, Claudia Brown and her husband, Doug, of Ashland, and Rosanna Del Mastro and her husband, Matthew, of Foxborough; her grandchildren, Gianluca Arcuri, and Erica and Alissa Brown; her parents, Edoardo and Angelina Fragale of Waltham; her siblings, Giovanna Rametta and her husband, Antonio, of Waltham, Paul Fragale and his wife, Angelina, of Waltham, Michelangelo Fragale and his partner, Robert Ferrarini, of Weston, Maria Caso and her husband, Richard, of Weston, Gianfranco "Frank" Fragale of Waltham, Anna Fragale of Sudbury, Antonio "Tony" Fragale and his wife, Mercedes, of Sudbury, Tullia Visco and her husband, Bruno, of Newton, and Fabio Fragale and his wife, Maureen, of Ashland; and many nieces and nephews.

Rosa was also the sister of the late Marisa Fragale.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rosa's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, February 22nd from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

Riposa in pace