Rose L. Raiano Pantalena, 88, of Branford passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at her home. She was the beloved wife of the late John W. Pantalena. Rose was born in New Haven on June 16, 1924 and was the daughter of the late Alfonso and Grace Ruggiero Raiano. She was a devoted wife, loving and dedicated mother and grandmother, and was looking forward to being a great-grandmother in January 2013 to Matthew & Elizabeth Gitlin’s baby boy. She leaves behind her loving children Joan (Ronald) Gitlin, John J. (Anita) Pantalena and Lori (Frank) Forgione; her cherished grandchildren Cara (Kevin) Joyce, John J. (Misha) Pantalena, Jr, Matthew (Elizabeth) Gitlin, JoAnn Pantalena and Kate Forgione, and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Predeceased by her sisters, Frances Aloi, Mollie Ferretti, Julia Cottiero, Mary Festa and brothers, Anthony, Dominic and Joseph Raiano.
Her funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Saturday morning at 9:15. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Elizabeth’s Church at 10. Entombment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum. The visiting hours will be Friday from 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.