Anita Louise (Grimaldi) Iannarelli DeRosa

Anita Louise (Grimaldi) Iannarelli DeRosa, 99 of Old Post Road Charlestown, RI, died peacefully on March 10, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was the beloved wife of the late Francesco Iannarelli and the late William DeRosa.

Born in Acre Italy on January 1, 1922 she was the daughter of the late Eleuterio and Brigida (Quattrucci) Grimaldi. She came to the US at the age of 13 and always kept close ties with her family in Italy.

Anita lived in East Providence for many years before moving to Charlestown. Anita and her family owned and operated two restaurants in East Providence the Italian Kitchen and the Flame Restaurant.  She later went to work as a Sales Manager for the former Brodsky’s Furniture.

Mrs. DeRosa enjoyed traveling, spending time cooking for her family and many friends and enjoying her flower garden.  

Anita will be sadly missed by her two daughters, Attilia A. Ren (Peter) of Bradenton, FL and Linda I. Catalano (Joseph) of Charlestown, RI.  She was the loving grandmother of, Michael Ren, Kristen Ren and Joseph Catalano.  She was predeceased by her sister, Maria Campanella and brother, Mario Grimaldi.

Walk through visiting hours will be Wednesday morning, March 17th from 9-10:30am at the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St. Westerly, RI. Social distancing guidelines and other public health directives (i.e., use of facemasks and maximum of 15 people in the building at any given time) will be in place.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am at St. Clare Church, 4 St. Clare Way Westerly, RI.  Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston, RI.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 1575 Cambridge St., Cambridge MA. 02138, or to the Charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St. Westerly, RI.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.