Rosemarie H. Zita walked through the gates of Heaven into eternal rest on the arm of her son who predeceased her on the same day in 2006. She was born in West Enfield, Maine on August 1, 1930 and died peacefully on April 25, 2017 with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Rosemarie was the daughter of the late Walter and Mona McPhee Hanson. She graduated from nursing school and became a licensed practical nurse proudly working at the old Veteran's Memorial Hospital for thirty-two years. Born in New England, it was inevitable that Rosemarie would be an avid Red Sox fan, but she also would cheer on the Yankees if they, and not the Sox, were in the playoffs much to her daughter's chagrin. She also followed the Patriots, UCONN basketball and loved to devour novels.

In her younger days, Rosemarie was quite a seamstress and would lovingly make clothing for her children and granddaughter until her eyes weren't as sharp and her fingers as nimble. She loved to travel and enjoy the beautiful land and seascapes of our country. She truly enjoyed vacationing with her family, and whether they were trips cross country, to the beach, or Disney, we will forever cherish the memories we made. Her happiest moments, however, were on Saturday evenings when the family would go over for a delicious meal and then enjoy a rowdy game of SORRY, UNO or Trivial Pursuit.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Alex Figueroa, her beloved grandchildren, Jessica, Joel, Kelsey, Kara, Chasen, and Braden and four beautiful great grandchildren, Antonio, Lily, Alessia, and Amara. She also leaves behind her good friends and poker buddies, Joe and Jeanne Cournoyer, Edna and the late Donald Smith, and Florine and the late Bernie Tompkins. Rosemarie was predeceased by her brother, Eugene, her sister, Alva, and her son, Joel.

Her family would like to thank the nurses and assistants at the Meriden Center for their unending kindness and compassion shown to Rosemarie, and in her final days, the hospice nurses and pastoral counselor of Hartford Healthcare who made sure her passing would be with the utmost respect and dignity.

Per Rosemarie's wishes, there will be no calling hours. Instead, a memorial service that celebrates her life is being planned for a later date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempeinfuneralhome.com . Should friends desire, gifts in her memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108-3272.