Rosemary (Menice) Parker

Rosemary (Menice) Parker, 87, of Taunton, passed away at her home on March 24, 2024 with her loving family by her side.

She was the beloved wife of Richard (Richie) A. Parker.

Born in Taunton, Rosemary, who was also known as Dolly, was the daughter of the late Anthony F. and Mary (Soares) Menice.

Rosemary met her future husband Richie at Cohannet School, and they both graduated from Taunton High School in 1954.  Rosemary worked at St. Pierre’s Shoe Store in downtown Taunton for seven years.  She and Richie were married in 1960.  She stopped working and started her favorite career of all, being a Mom, when their first child, Lori, was born in 1961.  They welcomed Richard Anthony in 1962 and Donna Louise in 1964 and the family was complete.

Later, Rosemary worked at the Taunton Daily Gazette, and at Rite Aid Pharmacy in Taunton for 11 years.  She retired from Rite Aid in 1989 to start her next favorite career, being a Nana to her grandchildren Kristina, Bethany, Matthew, Ronan, Andy and Dillon.  She was thrilled to welcome her first great-grandchild, Landon Parker, who was born to grandson Matthew Laranjo and his wife Ashley, last year.

Rosemary enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren most of all.  She packed epic picnic lunches for them and created wonderful family memories  at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, and at Plymouth.

Rosemary was such a cat lover and had at least 20 cats in her lifetime, including her beloved T.T.  She also rescued a wild bird who survived under her loving care for 17 years.  In her later years Rosemary became an avid bird-watcher and loved watching the birds in her bird feeders.

Rosemary was a fantastic cook.  She hosted wonderful family holidays with amazing food and was especially known for her chicken pie and Portuguese soup.

Rosemary stayed very close to her adult children and spoke to each of them every day.  She also loved reading.

Besides her beloved husband Richard of 64 years, she is survived by her loving children; Lori Cannizzaro and her husband James of Mansfield, Richard Anthony  of Dighton and Donna Laranjo and her husband Arthur of Taunton, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Rosemary was the sister of Leonard “Skippy” Menice of New Jersey and Deborah Menice of Taunton. She was also the sister of the late Eleanor Gay and the late Robert Menice.

Rosemary’s funeral will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 9:45am from the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a funeral mass at 11am at Saint Anthony’s Church, School Street, Taunton.

Burial will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Taunton.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 27th from 4 to 7pm in the Silva Funeral Home.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com