Margaret Norita Puzz Rosetti

Nearly a century has been witnessed by a dear Biloxian who has departed from this life. Margaret Norita Puzz Rosetti died on Sunday, May 15, 2016. Born July 26, 1920, at the home of her parents on Chartres Street (Bayview Avenue) in the Biloxi neighborhood affectionately remembered as “Back Bay”, Margaret was witness to many memorable and historic events; stories she frequently shared with her grandchildren, like the opening day of the Saenger Theater when she was 9 or the first Blessing of the Fleet held in the Biloxi Bay. The first-born child of Andrew Puzz, a renowned Biloxi baker and Gertrude Anglada Puzz (both deceased), she was baptized in St. John Catholic Church, now Blessed Seelos, and was educated in that same parish school. Margaret’s young life was filled with family in a neighborhood where she was surrounded by brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and of course her beloved maternal grandparents, Louis and Lee Anglada. She met the love of her life, Anthony J. Rosetti, while strolling on Wachenfeld Pier and then married him in 1939. She lost her beloved “Tony” on 1974 after 35 years of marriage. He suffered a massive heart attack while aboard a vessel in the Gulf, shrimping for the Blessing of the Fleet Fais Do-Do. Margaret was blesses with the longevity and good health to know and love four generations of progeny: Children, Linda Lee Rosetti Lawrence (Francis Lawrence), Anthony Joseph Rosetti, Jr., deceased (Mary Dell Ross Rosetti), Gary David Rosetti (Elizabeth Helm Rosetti), Jeanie Rosetti, deceased, and Bryan Paul Rosetti (Laura Quave Rosetti); grandchildren, Linda Lee Lawrence Cagnolatti (Guy), Francis Lawrence, Jr. (Trish), Donna Lawrence, Anthony Rosetti, III (Jeanie), Jared Rosetti (Kim), Tina Elizabeth Rosetti Purdum (Ron), Gary Rosetti, Jr. (Johanna), Bryan Rosetti, Jr and Dylan Rosetti; great grandchildren, Tony Cagnolatti (Jessica) , Amy Cagnolatti, Maegan Redd, Vincent Lawrence, Amber Goodwin, Justin Goodwin, Anthony Rosetti, IV (Amanda), Nicholas Rosetti, Ava Rosetti, Ross Rosetti, Katherine Purdum, Victoria Purdum, Gary Rosetti, III and Hannah Rosetti; great great grandchildren, Gaige, Brayden, Evan, Ellison and Juliette. Margaret is survived by one sister and her husband, Iris Puzz Vierling and William ‘Buddy” Vierling and by one sister-in-law, Shirley Puzz. She is preceded in death by her brothers and their wives, Andrew Puzz, Donald and Betty Puzz, and Larry and Delores Puzz; and her sisters and their husbands, Violet and Steve Bowen and Helen Dale and Guy Mansi. Margaret was truly a member of the greatest generation and all that title suggests. She has a strength, courage and independence that comes with the experiences of 95 years of life. Margaret resided in the Back Bay neighborhood she was born into until Hurricane Katrina claimed her home and she was forced to move; a total of 85 years. She was the matriarch of a large, loving family. Though she was petit in stature, she possessed a quiet authority. Her children and their families were her life’s work and her life’s joy. Their health and well-being were her primary concern even until her final days. She loved to tell people that she had five children and all five were “as different as can be”. Margaret had the grace and dignity that defines the word ‘lady”. She will be missed and her memory cherished by all that knew and loved her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church at 11am on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Family and friends are invited to visit from 10-11am. Burial will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.