Rose M. Zaia

Rose M. Zaia, 90, a lifelong Norwich resident died on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. 

Born on March 6, 1934, in Norwich, Rose was a daughter of the late John and Nancy (Fonti) Zaia. After her graduation from Norwich High School, Rose worked for the Carl Payne Insurance Agency. She later found employment with the federal government with the selective service board, the social security administration, and finished her career with the Federal Housing Administration.

Rose enjoyed traveling, loved feeding her family, liked baking and cooking – especially her legendary Christmas cookies, and was a voracious reader. She was a lifelong member of St. Bartholomew’s Church. 

Rose is survived by her brother, Frank Zaia, of Norwich; sister-in-law, Kay Zaia, of Norwich; nieces and nephews, Grace Ann (Randy) Nucero-Alger, of Plymouth, Sam (Fran) Nucero, of Norwich, Michael Zaia, of Norwich, Matthew Zaia, of Leonardsville, NY, and Nancy (John) Stepneski, of Vestal, NY; great nieces and nephews, Vincent (Sarah) Nucero, Natalie Nucero, Kaitlyn Stepneski, and Emily Stepneski, and a great great niece and nephew. She was predeceased by her lifetime partner, Zoltan Papp; sister, Joan (Leonard) Nucero, brother, Andrew (Kathleen) Zaia and her great nephew, Anthony Zaia.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rose will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 73 East Main Street, Norwich, where the Rev. Ralph A. Bove will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Burial will be held at St. Paul's Cemetery in the spring of 2025.

Memorial contributions in memory of Rose may be made to St. Bartholomew’s Church, 30 Pleasant Street, Norwich, NY, 13815. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with John Antonowicz, owner of the Wilson Funeral Home.