Rosemary Grace Pariselli Waitekus

1928-2021

It is with a heavy heart, that the family of Rosemary Pariselli Waitekus announces her passing on February 25th at Mt. Carmel Skilled Nursing Center in Lenox. She would have turned 93 on February 27th.

Rosemary was born on February 27, 1928 to Angelina (D’Arcangelo) and Samuel Pariselli. She was one of six children - five girls and one boy. Born and raised in Pittsfield, she attended local schools and was a proud graduate of Pittsfield High School, Class of 1945.

She enjoyed working at Eastover Resort in Lenox, The New England Phone Company, General Electric Company, and the former Notre Dame Middle School. In each place she worked, she made life-long friends.

It was through her work at General Electric Company, that Rosemary was introduced Casmir J. Waitekus, of Hoosick Falls, NY. After years of dating, Rosemary married Cas on January 18, 1958 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the middle of a snowstorm. They enjoyed a loving marriage of 53 years, raising their family on Lyman Street and creating wonderful memories.

Rosemary was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and Cas raised three children: Judy A. Reardon of Pittsfield, Fr. C.J. Waitekus of Longmeadow, and John M. Waitekus of Brattleboro, VT. Rosemary leaves five grandchildren: Amanda Viera (Jimmy), Christopher Reardon, Ryan Aulisio, Jr., Sarah Dunleavy-Waitekus (Cody), and Sophia Waitekus. She also leaves six great-grandchildren: Jimmito, Jaeden and Juel Viera, and Nevaeh, Cody, and Aurora Rosemarie Prouty. She is also survived by two sisters, Anna Benham, who she happily made her home with before going to Mt. Carmel and Lena Robinson, both of Pittsfield. She also leaves several niece and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her husband, Cas, who died on June 6, 2011, and by her sisters, Enis Pullaro and Lydia Dimartino, and her only brother, Americo “The Count” Pariselli.

Laughter was a constant with Rosemary and she would consider it her best medicine. She was proud to be one of the “Pariselli Girls”, who were a familiar cohort in Pittsfield for close to one century. When Rosemary wasn’t laughing, you could find her shopping at her favorite Talbots, spending time playing the slots at any casino or polka dancing to the music of the Eddie Forman Orchestra.

Rosemary adored family gatherings, among them the annual Christmas Eve and Fourth of July parties, where she was well-known for her delicious meatballs and sauce. She was a devoted parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at Sacred Heart Church and faithfully taught CCD for many years.

Friends and family are welcome to stop by Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, March 2 from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. for her public wake. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 12 noon. Her burial will be private in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery. All Covid-19 restrictions will be adhered to with masks and social distancing required. The Funeral Mass will be recorded and can be seen later in the day on YouTube or at www.stmarylong.org. Due to the space limitations at Church, friends are encouraged to watch the Mass online.

Rosemary’s family wishes to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers, both prior to and during her stay at Mt. Carmel Nursing Center. She was treated with compassion and dignity and her family will never forget your kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rosemary’s name can be made to Sacred Heart Church or St. Ann’s Church, Lenox, MA. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www. flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.