FEEDING HILLS, Mass. -- Rose Marie (Cosenzi) Pepper, 77, a resident here for over 55 years, passed away Monday, June 2, 2014 at her home. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Rose had touched in some way throughout her very memorable life. Born and educated in Springfield, Rose was the daughter of the late Thomas and Elsie (Guidi) Cosenzi and was a 1954 graduate of Classical High School. Rose was a former accounting specialist for the US Post Office, retiring in 1992 after 24 years of service. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Feeding Hills and a former member of the Sella D'Italia Women's Group. Rose is survived by her two loving daughters: Denise Cunningham and her husband Stephen of Stroudsburg, PA and Donna Sullivan and her husband Daniel and their children: Erin Lambert and her husband Kenneth of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, Ryan Sullivan and his wife Ashley of Worcester, MA and Kyle Sullivan of Feeding Hills; two sons: Peter J. Pepper, Jr. and his wife Cindi of Damariscotta, ME and Michael B. Pepper and his wife Andrea of San Jose, CA. Rose is also survived by her four brothers: Thomas Cosenzi and his wife Sandy of Longmeadow, Daniel Cosenzi and his wife Leora of Springfield, Primo Cosenzi of Westfield and Anthony Cosenzi of Brookfield. Rose leaves eleven grandchildren whom she loved dearly and three great-grandchildren, including Madison Bennett, who she helped care for on a daily basis. Rose was predeceased by her husband Peter J. Pepper in 1998, a sister Linda Cosenzi and two grandchildren, Kelly Sullivan and Sean Cunningham. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 9, 2014 at 8:45am from the Colonial-Forastiere Funeral home on 985 Main Street, Agawam, MA, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Sacred Heart Church, Springfield Street, Feeding Hills. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Cemetery. Calling hours for family and friends will be held at the funeral home Sunday, June 8th from 2:00-6:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Baystate Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199.

[Published in The Springfield Republican from June 5 to June 6, 2014]