Rosalinde Marie Milazzo

ROSALINDE MILAZZO – OBITUARY Rosalinde Milazzo died peacefully at Transitions Lifecare, a Hospice home in Raleigh, North Carolina, on February 21, 2021 at the age of 93. She was born at sea on July 23, 1927, grew up in Staten Island, New York, and lived in San Diego, California for thirty years with her husband, Sam Milazzo, and their son, Tone Milazzo. She taught elementary and high school students in San Diego until she was 79 years old. She spent the last 14 years of her life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, close to her daughter, Heidi Chapman, from an earlier marriage. When she moved to Chapel Hill, she discovered kindred spirits at the Shared Learning Association of Chapel Hill. She spent the last thirteen years of her life taking four to five courses at a time with a group of retirees who welcomed her passion for learning, challenged her, and offered her friendship and support. Shared Learning Association of Chapel Hill allowed her to widen her horizons, while sharing life experiences and stories. She finally had the time to read constantly and explore all the subjects she had longed to study since her college days, including forensic science, archeology, anthropology, world religions, art, music, and Native American history. Rosalinde had sparkling, blue eyes and a lovely smile. She was very bright, warm, loving, and kind. She was a conversationalist in the best sense of the word. She knew no strangers. She drew people to her. She spent her life helping and caring for others: children, adults, and animals. She was a devoted friend. She was an inspiring mother. She will be sorely missed. Rosalinde deepened her love of poetry at Shared Learning. This poem captures her spirit. EPITAPH by Merrit Malloy When I die give what’s left of me away to children and old men that wait to die. And if you need to cry, cry for your brother walking the street beside you. And when you need me, put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give to me. I want to leave you something, something better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved, and if you cannot give me away, at least let me live on in your eyes and not in your mind. You can love me best by letting hands touch hands, and by letting go of children that need to be free. Love doesn’t die, people do. So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away. Rosalinde was predeceased by her three brothers: Roland, Norbert and Anton Tiedeman. She is survived by her daughter, Heidi Chapman and Heidi’s partner, Richard Owens of Chapel Hill, her son and daughter-in-law, Tone and Melissa Milazzo of San Diego; her unofficially adopted daughter, Joan Ruland of St. Paul, Minnesota; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Tiedemann of Staten Island; her nieces and nephew; her beloved cousin and her husband, Gundel and Gerd Bach of Germany; her dear friends at Shared Learning Association of Chapel Hill, including Alice Parsons, Pat Detitta, and Margareta Thompson; her close friend of 62 years, Doris Tushak of Bradenton, Florida; her kind friend, Thomas Cahill of Red Hook, New York; her friends in Vermont, California, Arizona, Iowa, Nevada, New York and North Carolina; and her loving cousins in Germany. Thank you all for embracing her and accompanying her through life. Contributions may be made in Rosalinde’s memory to: Shared Learning Association of Chapel Hill, c/o Hank Becker, President, 1114 Phil’s Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Shared Learning ignited her passion for learning and fed her soul.

Rosalinde Marie Milazzo

July 23, 1927 - February 21, 2021