Barbara Ann Rotella was born on August 25, 1938 in Palmer, MA. She passed away on May 10, 2023 at the age of 84 after a long battle with breast cancer.
From an early age, she enjoyed working with her hands and was involved in everything from daily chores to helping with the construction of the house in Palmer where she grew up. She tended chickens on her father’s land and assisted her uncles Eddie and Walter Rudnick on their nearby farms. Upon moving to a more urban area in Orlando, FL, she remained active doing all kinds of crafts which she often gifted to others or saved as keepsakes. She was an avid sewer for much of her life, creating her own dresses for everything from work to weddings. She also enjoyed listening to polka music and played the accordion in her younger years. In her last days such music brought her joy and peace.
Barbara is survived by her husband Anthony Rotella; her son Francis Rotella and daughter in law Vivian Gin; and her son Joseph Rotella, daughter in law Aravinda Ananda and grandson Raphael Ananda-Rotella. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Anastasia (Serdinsky) Rudnick and her sister Frances Gola.
She was a lifelong Catholic and attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for many years where we will be saying our last goodbyes. The family will have a private viewing on June 1st and all are welcome at the funeral mass at 11:00am at St. Charles located at 4001 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804.