Roselyn Loretta (Speakes) Renzi at 96

Roselyn Loretta (Speakes) Renzi, 96 of Holliston, passed away at her home surrounded by family on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio she was the daughter of the late Loretta (Kohus) Speakes and John T. Speakes of Covington, Kentucky. She was the beloved wife of 64 years to the late Robert J. Renzi. Roselyn is survived by five children, Diane, Robin, Robert, Karen and Carol; 4 grandchildren, Erin, Elyse, Chase and Ella as well as 2 great-grandchildren, Lyla and Luke. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is the remaining survivor of her 8 siblings, Mary, Donald, Jack, Roger, Mickey, Jerry and Jimmy.

Roselyn was a kind and passionate person as well as a devout Catholic. She was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker; her children and family were everything to her. She was a natural beauty, a great dancer, and her home was her castle. She loved music, flowers, chocolate, perfume and she especially loved jewelry. She learned to play golf because it was her husband Robert’s favorite game. She was a pretty good golfer and even got two holes in one!

Roselyn went to the Oldenburg Academy in Indiana, a Catholic High School where her Aunt, Mother Clarissa Dillhoff, was the Mother Superior. Mother Clarissa Dillhoff was the founder and first president of Marion College and one of the first Oldenburg Franciscan Sisters to receive a bachelor’s degree. She was an outspoken leader in educating Catholic women.

Mom, your love for us was all-encompassing, it was everything, and we will love you eternally, always in our hearts forever. Roselyn was adored by all of her children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed.

“Love shook my heart like the wind on the mountain rushing over the oak trees”. -Sappho

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 16th at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church of Holliston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Care of Needham, vnacare.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston.