TRIBUTE WALL

I met Rossana and Neil in 2000 during a research cruise that we affectionately call “the cruise from hell”. Allow me to explain. The toilets, air conditioner, transmissions, autopilot, and the captain malfunctioned several times throughout the cruise. We were supposed to transit from Miami, Florida to the mouth of the Mississippi River, but never made it pass Marco Island, so not very far from where we departed. To make things more interesting, Rossana would wake up every morning with multiple insect bites, and she was the only one. She suspected fleas, but the crew angrily denied the possibility. The truth was exposed when we returned to port, and the dog of one of the crew members – a large dirty, hairy animal (the dog, not the sailor) jumped on board and made its way with great familiarity down to the sleeping quarters. Under normal circumstances, I would have declared this cruise a total failure and a monumental waste of time, except that I got to meet Rossana and Neil. I also have to admit that seeing Neil’s exasperation with the captain was very entertaining…. They would start to argue, and Rossana and I would just slowly walk away out of the danger zone….

Rossana, Neil, and I work in very similar research fields. We are interested in the color of the ocean. This could sound silly, but the color of a substance, in this case, the color of water, can tell you a lot about what is in it. So, understanding these relationships allows us to study the oceans using relatively simple field instruments, and most importantly, from space using satellites. Rossana’s work in this field was very important, as she focused on the relationship between chemical properties and color of a very interesting group of organic compounds found in natural waters. Over the years, Rossana became a very productive scientist, and her work has been cited over 2,700 times in the scientific literature. However, Rossana was not solely defined by her scientific work, for it always took second place to her family. The school and sports activities for Vincent and Giulia were never too complicated or too far away.

After we met, I kept in touch with my new friends, and tried to visit whenever I traveled to DC for NASA business. Rossana would pick me up at the Greenbelt metro station, and we would meet Neil at some nice restaurant for a quick bite. Eventually, Mayra and I moved to Maryland and our daughter was born about a year later.

Rossana basically adopted us. She would make certain that we had some place to go to celebrate on holidays, like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and else… We went camping together with many of her other friends…She knew that we were alone, in a new town, and she included us in her life. As Mayra mentioned yesterday, most of the people we know in the area, we met because of Rossana. She did not have to do that, she did it because she was, above all, a good, caring person. And whenever we went to any of many parties in her house, we will see all these kids from the neighborhood going in an out with total familiarity. Whenever Mayra invited Rossana to meet in some place like the ice arena or a park, it was common for her to show up with more than her two kids and a couple of pizza boxes for those kids. Seems like we were not the only family that Rossana adopted. That was Rossana, the mother, the friend. And at the center of this whirlwind of a life were always Giulia, Vincent, and Neil.

I have been receiving emails from many friends of Rossana and Neil. I have talked to a few in person. They tell me things like “I am confused”, “I am dazed”, “I do not understand”, I am so, so sad”, “ I am heartbroken”. All these, natural emotions, as the passing of someone like Rossana has to break one’s heart. It becomes natural that one starts to question why things like this happen, especially when so many lesser people just continue to roam the Earth. But I think that it is not useful to dwell on that. It happened, it is irreversible. Instead I propose that we should dwell on those lucky times that we shared with her. The long dinners; the bottles of wine, cheese, and prosciutto; the scientific arguments - philosophical and political ones; our shared concerns about the kids; her laughter; her easy smile; the long discussions about how to avoid ticks after a camp from hell in southern MD during Memorial Day weekend; or about who will and will not do the dishes after a long party. You see, these are the things we should dwell on. The small stuff that really is the salt of life. Rosanna for all us in here was a mother, a wife, a friend, and a scientist. I hope we just remember those little things until our time comes.

Carlos

Rossana adopted me and my small family when we came to MD. Her friends became my friends, and she was my family for 14 years. She was at all Isabella’s birthdays, her First Communion, ice skating competitions, and theater presentations, even when I asked her not to bother. She always made sure that we would not be alone on holidays, and that Isabella had a familiar face in her life, other than her parents’, as she was growing up. She provided constancy to a family with no family around, and for that, I will always be grateful to her. We will miss her deeply. Rossana era un angelo.

Mayra Berrios

Rossa, per me non sei andata via..

Dormi solo un sonno sereno mentre il tuo spirito impiegabile vive nei nostri cuori e ci incita alla vita piena.

Quando saremo tra amici in felice compagnia, tu sarai con noi sorridente.

Quando saremo nel dolore, ci sarai vicino e di conforto.

Quando i figli saranno bravi a scuola, tu sarai lì fiera.

Quando saranno scoraggiati, sarai lì a sussurrargli nell'orecchio "dai forza, coraggio, che la mamma vi è vicino!"

Quando Neil si sentirà solo o stanco, ecco che il tuo sorriso gli riempirà il cuore.

Quando mamma e le sorelle si chiederanno il "perché" di tante cose, gli dirai "è perché ho voluto così.."

Ci rivediamo presto Rossa! Fino a quel momento cercheremo di essere coraggiosi come te.

______________________

Rossa, you haven't really left us..

You are only sleeping a peaceful sleep while your unbreakable spirit lives in our hearts and incites us to live fully.

When we'll be happily among friends, you be there with us smiling.

When we'll be sad, you'll be close by to comfort us.

When the kids will do well in school, you'll be there proudly.

When they'll be discouraged, you'll whisper in their ear "come on, you can do this, mamma is with you!"

When Neil will feel lonely or tired, he'll think of your smile and that will fill his heart.

When mamma and sisters will ask "why" for this and that, gli dirai "..that's how I wanted it.."

See you soon Rossa! Until that time, we'll try to brave like you.

Annarita Mariotti

Cara Rossana,

Te ne sei andata silenziosamente,all`improvviso, come un fulmine a ciel sereno lasciando tutti, marito figli adolescenti sorelle e mamma costernati e devastati. Ed infine noi amiche, consigliere insieme a te delle DIVE.

Ti conoscevo da poco, ma mi hai fatto subito simpatia. Quando ci siamo incontrate la scorsa estate al primo meeting del nuovo Consiglio direttivo delle DIVE, ed io sono arrivata in ritardo al vostro tavolo come una furia avrai avuto di me una pessima impressione. Poi mi sono scusata perché ho incrociato il tuo sguardo sorpreso e incredulo.

In altre occasioni ho constatato che il tuo comportamento era quello di una persona dolce e nello stesso tempo divertente e spiritosa dedita sopratutto ai figli, al marito ed al lavoro, e mi dispiace che una volta ti ho quasi rimproverata perche non potevi essere presente ai meeting dell`Assemblea.

Ora provo un gran rimorso perché penso che non ti rivedremo mai piu. Io pregherò per te, mentre tu da lassù luogo di pace e di luce proteggi chi hai tanto amato.

Franca

Dearest and sweet Rossana: Emanuela, Valentina, Alessandro and Andrew celebrate your life today. Fourteen years ago, I sat down with you, jut a few weeks after Vincent was born, to visit with you and your mom from Taranto. We were new moms, thrilled and a bit scared too. Luckily, your mom was there to make things easier (and make us laugh, too!). I have the fondest memory of your smile and warmth those days, sitting together and chatting about our new lives as mothers, in a new home away from home. You have always been caring; and welcoming; passionate and sincere; persistent and inclusive with friends; fun to be around; devoted mom and, active, always "on the move" organizing events; friends' gatherings and camping trips. Your children looked at you like the rock of the family. You were there for them, always. I could count on your unconditional friendship and support, too. Last month, we sat down together and shared a quiet, sweet dinner in Baltimore. We chatted like in the old days -- when we had our first born -- and we remembered some fun camping trips together. Your humor and optimism; your no-nonsense made me feel content and comfortable. You were my hero that night. For your friendship and for your love and warm, broad smile: I thank you. I have been blessed to know you. I love you, always.

Emanuela Montanari

The things I will most remember about Rossana are her laugh and her fierce love for her family. She was a remarkable person who will be remembered and missed by all of us who knew her.

Melinda Brady

I had the pleasure of getting to know Rossana when Giulia was dancing with me as part of the Greenbelt Dance Studio program at the community center. We would often chat a bit when she picked Giulia up from rehearsal as well as around town at the co-op or the New Deal when ran into each other around town. I was always grateful for Rossana's words of encouragement during busy times of year at the studio. She was always willing to help out as needed, and it meant a lot to have her support especially in the early days of the dance program when I had fewer resources and staff. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know her. I grieve with our entire community; her passing is a loss to so many who were known and encouraged by her.

Angella Foster

I will always be grateful for her insight, support, and guidance. She has helped shape my graduate career for the better and made me into a better scientist. I have learned so much from her. Rossana was an amazing mentor and friend. She will be missed.

Marla Bianca

I am so shocked and saddened by the passing of Rossana. She made me feel like a friend immediately. She was always smiling, friendly and had the cutest laugh. She was such a vibrant ball of energy, and such a loving, devoted and fun mom. I cherish the times we had and will miss her greatly.

Kathy Smith