Rosemary (Martin) Traviolia

Rosemary (Martin) Traviolia, age 79 of Woodland Hills, CA, formerly of Pence, IN, died at 1:30 p.m. on July 19, 2011. Rosemary was the youngest daughter of Floyd and Mae (Briggs) Martin and grew up on their family farm with her brothers and sisters Virginia, Frances, Edith, Vivian, Frank and Robert near Pence in Warren County, Indiana. She visited Pence often to keep in touch with relatives and friends. Even when her memory faded, Rosemary often said “I want to go home to Pence.” The day she died, a commemorative plate with a photo of the Pence Methodist Church was on the nightstand next to her bed. Rosemary graduated from Williamsport High School in 1949 as valedictorian of her class. She married Marion Roland Traviolia on April 8, 1954. He preceded her in death. Much of Rosemary’s life revolved around the church community. Her faith in God sustained her throughout her life. She enjoyed helping young people: working as a house mother in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Frances Willard Home for Girls, inviting college students for Thanksgiving dinner, and babysitting friends’ children. Rosemary spent the latter years of her life helping take care of her grandchildren. She moved to Terre Haute, Indiana in 1992 with her son, Martin, and his family; helping around the house and caring for her grandchildren. In 1996, she moved with them to Naperville, Illinois. She then moved to Los Angeles, California to join her son, Tristan, and his family; helping care for her youngest grandchild, Aidan. She continued to enjoy housework and childcare responsibilities for many years. In her last years, Rosemary struggled with dementia and lived in a home-based care facility. She was aware that she didn’t remember people or names and she often chuckled and smiled rather than speaking. Surviving are, 2 sons, Martin Traviolia (wife: Paula) of Naperville, IL and Tristan Traviolia (wife: Shawn) of West Hills, CA Siblings, Vivian Baird of Big Timber, Montana and Robert F. Martin (wife: Lois) of rural Attica. 4 grandchildren, Courtney, Richard, David, and Aidan Traviolia Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Virginia Nolin, Frances Dunavan, Edith Kincade, Frank Martin, and 2 infant sisters. There will be a memorial service to celebrate Rosemary’s life on Saturday, September 10th at the Grady Funeral Home, located at 111 East Monroe Street in Williamsport, Indiana. Visitation will be from 1-2 pm, with the service at 2 pm with Rev. Charles B. Anderson officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Jordan Cemetery in Pence, Indiana.