Rose Motola

Rose Theresa Botto Motola, 95, of Old Saybrook, widow of Joseph V. Motola, Sr., passed away peacefully on June 1 at Aaron Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, Chester, CT. Rose was born August 18, 1928 in New Britain to the late Joseph and Carmella (Tringali) Motta, who were Italian immigrants. At the age of 12, upon the death of her mother she was adopted by her older sister Josephine Botto and her husband, Dionysius (Dennis) of Hartford.

She married Joseph V. Motola, Sr. in 1949. They settled in West Hartford and raised their 3 children: Nancy (Kenneth McNulty, Jr.) of Waterford,; Lucille (the late Thomas P. Prendergast, Sr.) of Old Saybrook, and Joseph Jr (Beth) of Sharpsburg, GA there. She lived in West Hartford and then Plainville for many years before settling in Old Saybrook in 2009.

Rose’s life passion and work was teaching elementary school children. She graduated from Teacher’s College of CT in New Britain (now CCSU) in 1949 with a B.S. in Education, followed by an M.S. degree in Education in 1965 from The University of Hartford. She was employed by Hartford Public Schools for the entirety of her career, and retired in 1989.

She was a parishioner of St. John Church, Old Saybrook as well as active in the Newington Ski Club, Catholic Graduates, and several other groups. In 1969 she and Joe purchased a ski house in Ludlow, VT, where her family and friends enjoyed skiing and other outdoor activities, continuing to this day. She enjoyed playing card games, ballroom dancing, and bible study.

Rose’s pride and joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They have many fond memories of vacationing, playing cards and singing karaoke, and other things, with her.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, 5 sisters and 2 brothers. In addition to her children she leaves her 4 grandchildren: Thomas P. Prendergast, Jr and his wife Sheri; Theresa Cash and her husband Christopher, Sarah Manley and her husband Gregory and Kristyn Scott and husband John, 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her adoptive sister and niece, Denise Botto.

Rose will be remembered for her friendship and hospitality, and will be missed by both by her family and many friends and neighbors. Her family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Aaron Manor, for their wonderful care of Rose for the past 18 months, as well as Middlesex Hospice for the last few days of her life.

Visitation hours will be Friday, June 7, from 5 to 8 pm at Swan Funeral Home, Old Saybrook, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, June 8, at 10 am at St. John’s Church, Old Saybrook, CT. Burial will immediately follow at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, CT.

Memorial donations in Rose’s memory may be made to Aaron Manor Resident/Recreation fund or to Middlesex Hospice.