Rosemary DiCorleto Zendan

Rosemary DiCorleto Zendan, 73, of Hartford, entered heaven on Valentine’s Day 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Rosemary was part of an extended DiCorleto family that has given so much to the city of Hartford and the State of Connecticut—including a foreman on the original construction of the State Library and Supreme Court, an investor and developer of affordable inner-city property, a superior court clerk, a superintendent of elementary education, a finance director of a neighboring town, a general in the Army reserves, and a skilled engineering professional at a storied Connecticut manufacturer. Rosemary would follow her own path of service, educating multiple generations in the City of Hartford over almost 40 years. Education was the cornerstone of her life starting at Bloomfield High and as a graduate of the University of Hartford. The University of Hartford was a special place for Rosemary where she met her future husband of 52 years Michael (“Big Mike”) and where their son Michael II attended her undergraduate convocation as a toddler in 1964. Their son Christopher soon joined the festivities and was able to attend Rosemary’s Masters of Education ceremony in 1968. Rosemary’s teaching career included decades at West Middle School and the Noah Webster School. She would take special pride in all her students, especially those students who would return to her years later to entrust their own children to her nurturing care. A curator of lasting friendships, Rosemary cherished relationships where she could lend her feisty spirit, her careful ear, her infectious laugh, and her twinkling eye. She was first to volunteer to help a family member or friend in need, and if she had a fault, it was putting others before herself—but what a noble and generous fault. Family was always first. The daughter of Nick and Mary DiCorleto, Rosemary is survived by her three brothers, Francis (her twin and his three children Kim, Beth, and Matthew), Nicholas, and Anthony and their loving spouses. As a young mother still in college, Rosemary sacrificed much to enable Michael II and Christopher to grow-up knowing the powerful love of their extended family. She lived to see her boys marry strong and accomplished women in Michael II’s JoAnn and Christopher’s Jackie and cherished her granddaughter Gabrielle and her identical twin grandsons Andrew and Michael III. In later life, Rosemary’s love continued to know no bounds, and friends of her and Big Mike became part of an ever growing “adopted” family that crossed generational, gender, ethnicity, cultural, personal orientation, and racial lines. She drew strength from this extended family as much as she leant her strength. Despite her diminutive size, Rosemary was a giant spirit who left her lasting mark on lives and her world with love, generosity, kindness, and compassion. Visitation at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, followed by a non-denominational service at 3 p.m. A Celebration of Rosemary’s Life is being planned for the spring with opportunities to gather in brighter spirits, share stories of her impact, and enjoy her favorite foods. While Rosemary loved beautiful flowers, she would be pleased with a donation to the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions; c/o University of Hartford, Office of Institutional Advancement, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117; and/or The American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or via the web at www.cancer.org. She also would be overjoyed simply with a gift of a book to a youngster and some quality time spent reading together. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com Rosemary D. Zendan (nee DiCorleto), 73, of Hartford, freed herself from the terrible confines of cancer and passed away comfortably Feb. 14, 2016, at the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit of St. Francis Hospital. She was surrounded by family and the loving prayers and wishes of so many friends. More recently known as “Grandmary” to three adored grandchildren, she began as “the sister” to three Italian brothers including her twin. From her childhood in Bloomfield, she followed the exceptional path of her aunt completing higher education at the University of Hartford and graduating more than fifty years ago with a husband Michael, a son Michael II, and a son Christopher on the way! A Master’s Degree in primary education immediately followed. As an elementary school teacher in Hartford for some four decades, she inspired, cared, nourished, and noticed the special gifts in hundreds of children. When not in the classroom, tutoring, or supporting the needs of colleagues and children through the Teachers Union, she enjoyed films, museums, Broadway shows, and international foods like pierogi, dim sum, and “lobsta.” Her city escapes were New York and Boston while her summer retreat was frequently Old Colony Beach. Her passions were holidays and shopping – but very rarely for herself. She loved nothing more than finding that perfect gift or must-have for someone dear that perfectly coalesced insight, thoughtfulness, and humor. With a driver’s license for identification only, she often relied on her feet, public bus, and the benevolent transportation of an ever expanding circle of friends. With those friends, she formed strong bonds and sisterhoods; learned to play a mean hand of Mexican Train; and shared the joys and sorrows of a full life. In the last decade, she contributed much of her time and talent to The Parish of the Divine where she volunteered as a lay deacon during weekly services; was a big part of church outreach; helped in the kitchen as the "Kitchen Bishop;" and, sought every opportunity to interact with children. Throughout her efforts and actions, and work and musings, she was at her core a teacher. Few could have stared her difficult diagnosis in the face and summoned the courage to fight with the grace and spirit she exemplified; it was a lesson to us all. Those who will miss her generous heart, her contagious laugh, and her indomitable panache, include: her husband Michael; her sons Michael F. Zendan II and his wife JoAnn of Charlotte, N.C., and Christopher N. Zendan and his wife Jacqueline of Madison, Conn.; her grandchildren Gabrielle, Andrew and Michael III; her brothers Nicholas J. DiCorleto of Old Lyme, Conn., Anthony DiCorleto and his wife Carol of Madison, Conn., and Francis DiCorleto and his wife Paula of Enfield, Conn.; the plentiful cousins, nieces, and nephews of the DiCorleto and Mobilia families; and, the extensive sphere of extended family and friends who held Rosemary so dear.

Rosemary DiCorleto Zendan

February 14, 2016