SCHUYLERVILLE - Viola Rossi Fee Funaro, 90, former resident of Schenectady and Mechanicville, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side in the comfort of her home on April 12, 2022. Born in Colonie on July 27, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Nicola and Caroline Bucci Rossi.
Vi worked at General Electric in Schenectady for many years, where she worked as an insurance claims processor before retiring in 1989.
She enjoyed trips to the casino, where she would play slots and was known to often “strike it lucky”. She was also a diehard NY Yankee fan and also enjoyed playing daily crosswords and Jumble games. She enjoyed the company of her Bassett Hound “Stanley”
Viola lost her first husband, Paul Fee, the father of her daughter Sandi, in 1983. In 1989 she remarried Francis Funaro, with whom she enjoyed nearly 20 years together before his passing in 2007. She and Fran wintered in Florida together for several years.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Sandi and Sam Cooley of Schuylerville, brother Fred Rossi, sister Margaret Hildreth, nieces Barbara (Joey) Mastrianni and Patti Richards, great niece Laura Mastrianni, great nephew Christopher (Shannon) Mastrianni and their daughter Maeve, as well as several other nieces and nephews. Also, Sheila Cristello who Vi considered a second daughter.
She was predeceased by her siblings Philip and Nicholas Rossi, Joseph Ross, Nora Cremo Nelson and Connie Lontrato.
Per Vi’s request, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will held on Monday, April 18 at 11:00 AM at All Saints on the Hudson Church, 121 N Main St, Mechanicville, followed by a burial service beside her husband Paul at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Schenectady.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to All Saints on the Hudson Church, 52 William St, Mechanicville, NY in loving memory of Viola Fee Funaro.