Rose Luciani Martelle

Hoosick Falls – Rose Luciani Martelle, 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on September 6, 2012.
Born in the Bronx, NY, Rose was a first generation Italian-American, the daughter of the late John and Jennie (Ribaudo) Russo and was very proud of her Italian heritage throughout her lifetime. Rose’s family vacationed upstate in the Cambridge area for several years before relocating to Cambridge, NY, when Rose was a teenager.
In 1938 Rose met the love of her life, Marcello Luciani. Married in June 1941 they immediately became a part of what is now known as the greatest generation – those who were directly involved in WW II. Rose was a war wife raising their family while Marcello served in the U.S.Army. After the War they grew their family to three daughters and enjoyed a life together until Marcello was tragically killed in a scuba diving accident in 1958. Now Rose and Marcello are together again.
As a single mother Rose began a career as a skilled garment worker and member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. After her retirement Rose continued to be active, working for many years with the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce and as a regular volunteer at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. Even later in life Rose found great pleasure for several years being part of the Foster Grandparent Program at Hoosick Falls Central School. Her daughters have always been proud of the number of young adults who have greeted Rose in recent years and expressed how much they loved her company as children in the school’s Foster Grandparent Program.
In addition to her family life, Rose’s personal joys were traveling, camping, playing bocci, golf and ping pong and never saying no to a party. Later in life she was a regular participant in all the activities at the Hoosick Falls Senior Center and enjoyed many happy times and friendships there. Rose was also a member of many local service and fraternal organizations and was a long-serving member of American Legion AuxiliaryPost in Hoosick Falls, NY.
Rose is survived by her three daughters, Jean Luciani of Hoosick Falls, Linda Randles of Cambridge and Diane Sulpizi of Eagle Bridge, NY, her five grandchildren, Larissa Shapiro of Louisville, CO, Marcello Giarigiari of Hoosick Falls, Lisa Randles-Preda of Argyle, NY, Rosanna Sulpizi of Watervliet, NY, and Nicholas Sulpizi of Eagle Bridge, and her five great-grandchildren, Evan and Dessa Shapiro, Sofia Preda and Matthew and Ethan Wistuk.
She is survived, in addition, by a sister-in-law, Muriel Russo of Hallendale, FL, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mario and Norina Lucich of Cape May, NJ, her godson, Roberto Max Lucich of Brasilia, Brazil, and many other beloved members of the Russo, Lucich, Manza and Ribaudo families. In addition to her parents and her husband, Marcello Luciani, Rose is pre-deceased by her brother, Anthony Russo of Cambridge, her ex-husband, James Martelle, and a close companion, Sam Colliano of Bennington.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. Calling hours at the Funeral Home were from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, September 9. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at noon, Monday September 10, at the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. A private interment will be at the convenience of the family.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers contributions in Rose’s memory be made to support programs at the Hoosick Falls Senior Citizens Center through the Funeral Home.