ROSE LA MOTTA
1927-2015
Rose LaMotta, 87, passed away Monday, February 23, 2015, in the loving arms of her daughters. A native of Tampa, Florida, Rose was born August 22, 1927, to Genaro and Maria Taormina. Rose was the loving wife of Anthony L. Pullara of Tampa and devoted mother to their two daughters, Rose Anne and Phyllis Anne. After the death of her husband, she moved to Houston in 1962, a move made possible by the love and support of the Mattaliano and Beniretto families to whom she was forever grateful. Rose later married native Houstonian, Sam J. LaMotta (deceased), her husband of 31 years.
Rose truly loved the time she spent working in various Catholic organizations. A founding member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, her faith home since 1968, she was active in many parish organizations, including her service as President of the Women's Club. She was also a member of The Ladies of the Sacred Heart, Catholic Daughters of America and Charity Guild of St. Joseph, where she served as Spiritual Director.
Rose taught by example the values of love of God, love of family and hard work, and her devotion to her family was an inspiration to all who knew her. What gave her the greatest pleasure was the love and laughter present when all of her family gathered together and her greatest legacy is that love which is shared by her faith-filled family. She leaves behind daughters Rose Anne Bolfing and husband Phil and Phyllis Russo and husband Angelo. She adored her grandchildren and they loved their Nanna. She was Nanna to Tiffany Bolfing Owens and husband Anthony (deceased), Tony Bolfing and wife Kate, Trina Bolfing, Jack Russo and wife Keeke, Joseph Russo, and Rose Anne Russo. Great Grandchildren are Rachael, Joseph and Sarah Kate Owens, Davis, Dylan and Dalton Bolfing, and Katherine Reese Russo.
Rose was preceded in death by her brothers Jimmie and Bennie Taormina and is survived in Tampa by sister-in-law Mary Ann Taormina, cherished nieces Joyce Sciortino, Kathy Daly, Debi Hudson, Mary Jane Diaz and Rosalie Cagnina and their families. Houston nieces include Annette Lester and Charlene Terrell, Sam LaMotta's extended family.
Friends are invited to visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. the evening of Friday, the 27th of February at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, where the Recitation of The Holy Rosary will commence at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, the 28th of February at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail. Serving as Pallbearers will be Tony Bolfing, Jack Russo, Joseph Russo, Joseph Owens, August Lester and Joe Harris.
Donations or Memorial tributes may be made to The Charity Guild of St. Joseph or Texas Right to Life.
Published in Houston Chronicle on Feb. 26, 2015