Rosina Elizabeth Vallozzi Eldredge passed away in her sleep on Friday, November 4, 2022 after an extended illness. She was born January 23, 1937, in Monessen, Pennsylvania to Umberto and Virginia Vallozzi. She was the second of four children-- the only girl. She graduated from Eagle Rock High School in 1955 and four years later graduated from BYU with a degree in Elementary Education. She loved children and taught kindergarten for nearly 30 years at Lincoln Elementary in Twin Falls, Idaho. She also ran a private kindergarten in her home for a few years in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was beloved by students and parents alike.
To her grandchildren, she was affectionately known as Grandma Zeena, and they loved going to her classroom after regular school hours to participate in the exciting and wondrous activities contained within her room. During these ordinary, everyday experiences, she was able to pass along her passion for reading and learning to her grandchildren.
She married Max Jean Eldredge on June 27, 1960 and soon became the mother of five children: Tony Eric, Brent Jean, Natasha, Troy Sean, and Nathan Justin. Tragedy struck when Tony was taken in an accident at the age of four and a half years old. The family moved around from California, to Montana, and eventually settled in little, old Buhl, Idaho. (Only God knows why.)
Rosina had a way of making the simplest things magical. She loved decorating, cooking, and baking for the holidays, but most especially she loved spending time with her family. She encouraged family time with bike rides, skiing, walks with her grandkids to the old dime store for a treat paired with lunch trips to Costco to try out the new samples, and endless classic movie marathons. She had a passion for crossword puzzles, a green thumb for growing a garden and always had the nicest yard on the block. She was an accomplished seamstress and even taught her grandchildren to knit.
She loved walking and earned the nickname, “The Purple Lady” in Buhl, Idaho when she began picking up and throwing away the trash on the Buhl City streets on her daily walks. Business owners took note and made sure their sidewalks were clear of snow and ice to reduce her risk of falling on her wintery walks. In 2005, she was honored by the Buhl Chamber of Commerce for her service to the community with the Community Service Award.
She will be dearly missed by her surviving 4 children, 19 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
A small viewing will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00 am at the North Point Chapel, 1134 North College Road W. in Twin Falls, Idaho, with funeral services proceeding thereafter at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow the services at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home.