Rose Marie Semon

Rose Marie (Turturro) Semon died Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at UMass Memorial Hospital - Memorial Campus, after she was stricken ill at her home. She was surrounded by her three children who love her very much. She leaves her husband of 59 years, Robert J. Semon Sr. of Worcester; a daughter, Linda S. Semon of Pacific Palisades, Calif.; two sons, Robert J. Semon Jr. of Connecticut and Craig S. Semon of Worcester, who served as his parents' caregiver; a brother, Robert H. Turturro and a sister, Josephine Turturro, both of West Brookfield. She is predeceased by two brothers, Michael Turturro and Louis A. Turturro Jr. A daughter of Italian immigrants, Rose Marie was born in Worcester, the daughter of Louis A. and Antoinette (Bombredi) Turturro, and lived on Risso Court, Kendall Street and the Greendale section of Worcester. Rose Marie was named after her father's mother, Rosaria (Verdi) Turturro. Rose Marie worked as a long-distance telephone operator at New England Telephone Co. for many years before she retired. She also made beautiful three-tier wedding cakes for special family members and close friends. Rose Marie graduated from Commerce High School. She earned a full scholarship for fashion design and was hired on the spot as a TWA stewardess but she followed her mother's wishes and did not pursue either. She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Worcester. Rose Marie played the piano by ear, so much so that her first piano instructor refused to teach her anymore. She was also a speed typist. Rose Marie had a great fashion sense and was always ahead of the trends. She would always volunteer in her children's school and field trips and was always one of the favorite moms. Rose Marie had a fondness for sports cars, owning both a 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 and 1984 Trans Am (both white). Rose Marie was very proud of her rich Italian heritage and was a "hippie" at heart. She was always a straight-shooter whose words could cut down Marine Sergeants, including her husband, double her size. Rose Marie was a New Year's baby and each and every New Year's Eve when the clock struck 12, her children, no matter where they were or what they were doing, would race to call her in the hopes of being the first to wish her "Happy Birthday". Rose Marie had a rock 'n' roll heart and saw many great concerts (in her black satins dancing in the aisles) including the Who, Rod Stewart, the Eagles, Paul McCartney, U2, Don Henley's Walden Woods benefit, the Bee Gees, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen and the Kinks. In addition to attending all of her youngest son's violin solo, she purchased a Gibson SG solid body guitar for him with hopes that he would become a rock star. Rose Marie cried when John Lennon and George Harrison died. Rose Marie was a strong proponent of long hair on both men and women. In addition to her beautiful long blond hair, Rose Marie once confronted the St. Nicholas Avenue School principal that there was no "dress code" when he called her to get her youngest son a haircut. Rose Marie was very generous with her family and strangers, whether they needed money for some food or a harmonica. Up to the time of her illness, doctors would marvel at the youthfulness of her appearance and her spirit. Rose Marie had a silly, spontaneous and infectious sense of humor. She loved her family to no end and made endless sacrifices for her children's happiness. Rose Marie was a fighter, hard worker and the strongest person her three children have ever known. Calling Hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19, in Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 20 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry St., Worcester. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Building Fund, 28 Mulberry St., Worcester, MA 01604.