Rosemary J. Tiano

Mrs. Rosemary J. (Smith) Tiano, of Waltham, died Sunday afternoon, January 24, 2010 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital surrounded by her family after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 71. Rosemary was born January 11, 1939 in Waltham a daughter of Roseann O'Doherty and the late Richard Smith. A lifelong Waltham resident she was a graduate of Waltham High School, Class of 1956. In 1958, she wed her high school sweetheart, Frank A. Tiano in Saint Mary's Church and together they raised their family and celebrated over 51 years together. In her earlier years she worked at Raytheon Corporation before retiring to stay at home and raise her four children. Having been stricken with cancer over 35 years ago she volunteered many hours in comforting, caring and educating those with breast cancer and their families. She was an active volunteer in the American Cancer Society's 'Reach to Recovery Program'. A cancer survivor for many of her adult years, it was her strength and courage amidst life's rewards and challenges that her family admired and from which they took lesson. A voracious reader, Rosemary was a lover of words and had a great command of vocabulary and language. Tennis was her favorite sport to play but was a fan of many other sports, especially those in which she was able to see her own family participate. Rosemary was happiest when entertaining amidst family and friend either at her home in Waltham or her much loved home on Cape Cod. She leaves her husband, Frank A. Tiano; her children, Michael A. Tiano and his wife, Lisa, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Matthew J. Tiano and his wife, Donna, of Bedford, Frank A. Tiano and his wife, Mary of Chelmsford and Jennifer A. Falzone and her husband, Michael, of Bedford; her mother, Roseann O'Doherty of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; her sister, Rita Boisseau and her husband, Phillip, of Middletown, Rhode Island.; twelve grandchildren; one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sister, Barbara Flavin. Family and friends will honor and remember Rosemary's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Route 20), Waltham on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m and again at 9 a.m. on Friday 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 Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham Memorials in Rosemary's name may be made to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 89 South Street, Suite LL01, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.