Roseann K Loiacono

Our mom, Roseann K Martuscelli Loiacono joined her heavenly family on January 11, 2021.  Born in Walla Walla in 1930 to Dominichi Martuscelli, and Josephine (Ferraro) Maruscelli.  Mom was the middle of five children, after sisters Marguerite (Venneri), and Marie (Fazzari), but before brothers Dominic and Lewis.

Mom attended public schools in College Place, while at the same time worked together with sister Marie and the boys on the family “truck/garden farm”.  She married her sweetheart Bob (Robert) Loiacono, on August 15, 1954 at St Francis Catholic Church in Walla Walla.  They wer the proud parents of three children; Cindy (John) Loiacono-Zahl, Mary Loiacono, and Rob (Bev) Loiacono.

AS she continued to farm with her father, Mom also worked in the kitchen at Whitman College, as well as the Unite States Post Office as a letter carrier.  When all of her children were enrolled in school, mom began her career as a seam operator, first at Rogers, Walla Walla, and then at American Fine Foods until their closure.  She exercised her work ethic at Birdseye and finally D & K before her medical retirement due to impaired vision at 55.  Following her early retirement, she again became a stay-at-home Mom, “Bramma”, and “Great-Bramma”.  Although she was legally blind, she saw beauty in everything.

Mom was real food-master.  She taught all her children to bake and prepare Italian cookie, Candies and Easter Pizza Pie.  Her specialties were Crustale, Scallili, Caramels and Eggplant Parmesan.  She encouraged us to be resourceful with all the produce that was raised on the family farm.

Mom, Roseann, was a lifetime member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church and St Anne’s Alter Society.  She was a sports and 4-H mom, and a super enforcer of Italian traditions.  She served as a Braden Precinct volunteer for many years and was a talented flower gardening partner with Dad.  Together their famous Zinnias mad sought after floral arrangements for many valley weddings, church and banquet functions.

Roseann is survived by her children; Cindy (John) Loiacono-Zahl, Mary Loiacono and Rob (Bev) Loiacono, all of Walla Walla.  Grandchildren Geri (Matt) Bart of Vancouver, WA, and Chase Loiacono of Walla Walla.  Great Grandchild Hadley Bartz also from Vancouver.  Siblings Marie Fazzari, Dominic (Kathy) Maruscelli both of Walla Walla and Lew (Cyndi)Maruscelli of Stanfield, Oregon, numerous nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Mom is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob Loiacono in 2006, grandson Ian Loicono, oldest sister Marquerite Venneri, and son-in-law Bruce (Cyndi) Brownell.

The family will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Walla Walla..  Interment will follow at the catholic section of Mountain View Cemetery.  A memorial Mass and seasonal reception post Covid-19 is planned for the summer of 2021.

Memorial contribution may be made to the American Diabetes Association, specifically to find a cure for diabetic retinopathy and chronic kidney disease through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St Walla Walla, WA 99362,.