Rosella Votta

Age 90 of Braidwood, Illinois, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Miller Rehabilitation Center in Kankakee, Illinois.

Born April 2, 1932 in Carbon Hill, Illinois, Rosella Marie was a daughter of John and Angela (DePratt) Bonucci. She was raised in Carbon Hill, attended Carbon Hill School, and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1950. On June 5, 1954, Rosella married the true love of her life, Joseph Votta at Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, and together they would eventually live and make their home in Braidwood.

Due to her father’s untimely death at Rosella’s tender age of 5, she learned a strong work ethic from an early age and gained employment in the local garment factories as soon as she was old enough to work. Her career later began at the Ammunition Procurement and Supply Agency (APSA), where she worked for many years until gaining employment as the office manager at her cousin, Dr. Richard Tarizzo’s physician office in Joliet. She retired at the age of 55.

Rosella was a past member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Braidwood and Saint Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church in Essex, and belonged to the Women of the Moose. She loved to play card games, especially Euchre, and looked forward to her regular card club which she participated in for 40 years. Rosella also enjoyed playing Bingo and had a ‘green thumb’ for flower gardening. She was an avid sports fan and was the biggest supporter of her granddaughters’ various sporting and school events. Watching the girls excel gave her great joy, and both she and Joe never missed the opportunity to be in attendance to see the grandkids whenever possible. Over the years, Rosella and Joe also participated in local bowling leagues in Wilmington, and they enjoyed golfing together not just locally, but also in Florida where they would spend their winters.

Rosella’s greatest memories were made with her family. She cherished her three granddaughters, but her heart was overfilled with the addition of her three great granddaughters who were precious to her. Rosella and Joe were inseparable, and in addition to celebrating 69 years of marriage this year, the two lived without regret living their best life for 45 years of retirement.

Rosella devoted her life to putting family first and being a wonderful caregiver to those she knew and loved. She will be remembered as one who never complained, and leaves behind the legacy of being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Votta of Braidwood; one son, Greg (Kim) Votta of Essex; three granddaughters: Kate (Erick) De La Rosa of Northridge, California, Rebecca Votta (fiancé Edward Charleson-Gallacher) of Los Angeles, California, and Georgia Votta of East Lansing, Michigan; three great granddaughters: Sofia, Alba, and Luna De La Rosa; one sister-in-law: Marie (the late Ernie) Swanson of Coal City, and Al (Wilma) Votta of Alabama; and nieces and nephews: Denise (Dave) Stybr, Tiffany Votta, Joshua Votta, and Ronnie Votta.

Rosella was preceded in death by her parents, one sister: Elvira (Bob) Smith.

Per her wishes, cremation rites were accorded.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A private memorial service will be held, and Rosella will be laid to rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Rosella’s memory to Susan G. Komen For the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Rosella’s memorial page via social media.

Cremation and memorial services have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory (815) 476-2181.