Obituary of Charlotte DeRosa

Charlotte DeRosa, a retired bookkeeper at the House of Bianchi’s for 42 years passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 6, 2018. She was 83 years old. Charlotte was born in Somerville, the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Alfonso and Mary DeRosa. She grew up and was educated in Somerville. She attended Salem State but needed to stop her education and go to work when her father passed away. Charlotte had a strong will and was determined to succeed. She took classes at night at a business school in Boston and even taught class there. In 1965, she began her bookkeeping career at the House of Bianchi’s. She worked with the premier clothing and wedding gown designer for 42 years. She loved her career and her co-workers whom she treated like family. She helped her family and friends and their children find the perfect wedding dresses for their special day. The other nice perk was that Charlotte’s daughter, Gail, and her friends were able to shop at Bianchi for their prom dresses in High School. There weren’t many other girls who had the opportunity to wear Bianchi gowns in high school. Charlotte was a pretty remarkable woman. She was a single mother, family bread winner, volunteer extraordinaire, and devout Catholic. She purchased her home in Somerville for her family; daughter, mother, and sister. That phrase, “It takes a Village to raise a Child” must have been looking at the DeRosa family. While Charlotte went off to work, her mom, Mary, and sister, Sophie, remained home and were caretakers to her daughter. Her other sister Flora and her husband, Peter, were also a daily part of their lives. Gail had 4 moms and an uncle watching over her. She couldn’t get away with much. Charlotte was a mother, father, and best friend to her daughter and worked hard to see Gail reach all her dreams including graduating from Boston College and having a beautiful wedding to an amazing son-in-law, Mark and care for 3 beautiful grandkids and Tedy. Her home in Somerville was also the gathering spot for all her family. Her sister, Flora, and brother-in-law, Peter, along with 7 nieces and nephews were always visiting. Charlotte’s nieces and nephews were more like siblings to her daughter. To say she was close with her sisters was an understatement. They talked three times a day, about what, no one was sure. She loved family gatherings and trips, especially the cruises with 35 members of her family and summer vacations with the Pinkham’s, who treated her as a second grandmother. Charlotte was always entertaining; she loved being with family and friends. Her Fat-Tuesday-on-Saturday parties were always a hit and she started the tradition in Burlington with new friends and neighbors. She always hosted the priests of St. Anthony’s Church after the Easter Vigil where she made her famous Pizzagena. Charlotte fingerprints were all over St. Anthony’s Church. If something needed to be done, Charlotte was the go to person. She handled the MA State Lottery paperwork for the church’s Bingo since 1971, taught CCD, volunteered for CYO, member of the Women’s Guild, helped organize church dances, worked the church’s carnival, Country Store, played in a bowling league and participated in any other social or activity that needed volunteers. She never forgot all the priests who served at the parish during the decades; she was always making connections with different parishes over the years. She was excited to join St. Margaret’s Parish in Burlington when she moved here. She was quick to make friends with her new parish priests by bringing her specialty foods to the Rectory. Charlotte was not satisfied as merely being a member of a parish. She believed in her Catholic faith, believed in the parish as a community, that the parishioners make a parish, and the church as the spiritual epicenter of life. Charlotte had an endearing personality. She went out of her way to think of others first. What others begrudgingly do as a necessity, she did as a joy. For example, shopping. She was always armed with all her coupons and would often see fellow shopper’s carts and share her coupons with them and send favorite coupons to family members knowing the items they liked. Charlotte got to know the staff of here favorite stores by name. She knew about their family, life events, and interests. At Christmas time, she had Christmas cards for the cashiers, and managers. She simply wanted them all to know that they were appreciated and loved. Despite getting her license, she didn’t drive. She walked all over Somerville and knew all her neighbors because she was always out and about. Charlotte would come to Burlington several days a week to watch her grandchildren and eventually made the move to Burlington 3 years ago. She quickly embraced her new community. She was Gail’s sidekick and fellow volunteer at Fox Hill School’s social events and fundraisers. She participated in the Bridges Program at Fox Hill with her granddaughter Ashley’s 4th grade class and was recognized by the school with the “Every Day Hero Award”. Charlotte “achem” Paula, Gail, Alyson and Ashley were always the top Girl Scout cookie sellers or candy sellers. Charlotte was never a wall-flower, she loved to be involved. She helped with Kristin Russo’s School Committee campaign, collected whatever was needed for the kids’ religious classes, prepared baskets for her nephew, Christopher Catanese Children’s Foundation fundraiser, and volunteered with events for Burlington Dog Park. She had a love of family, friends and life. Charlotte had the ability to make you feel like you've known each other forever in just one conversation. Her home was always open for visitors to come for tea and well-stocked with any snacks and foods you could desire. Charlotte exemplified what the world would be like if more followed her lead. There would be more kindness, compassion, community, faith, productivity, and most importantly, fun. She leaves an amazing legacy for her family to continue. Charlotte was the loving mother of Gail Pinkham & her husband, Mark of Burlington. Amazing grandmother to Alyson, Matthew and Ashley Pinkham. Beloved daughter of the late Alfonso & Mary (DiIorio) DeRosa. Adoring sister of the late Sophie DeRosa and Flora and her husband Peter Catanese. Cherished aunt of Robert & Stefania Catanese of Mansfield, Linda & John DeBenedictis of Norwood, Peter II & Mary Ann Catanese of Dover, Paula Catanese of Mountain View, CA, Richard & Melissa Catanese of Sharon, Ronald Catanese & Yudenia Abrahante of Norwood and Steven & Patricia Catanese of Medfield. Also survived by many great nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Wednesday, Jan 10 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Charlotte’s name may be made to The Christopher Catanese Children’s Foundation, PO Box 2661, Westwood, MA 02090.