Lazetta Jowett Tallarino
Lazetta “Zettie” (Jowett) Tallarino, 84, of Rome, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Rome Health, after a brief illness with her loving family by her side.
She was born April 30, 1940, daughter of the late William and Jenny (Welty) Jowett in Utica. She graduated from Whitesboro High School and pursued employment at General Electric in Utica. On December 1, 1960, she married Francisco D. Tallarino Sr. in St. John the Baptist Church and took a break to raise her five children. In 1976, she returned to the work force when her youngest child entered school and worked at Rome Developmental Center in food service until retirement in 1994.
Zettie’s greatest joy was being a homemaker and caring for her children and grandchildren, and making sure that our Sunday dinners remained a ritual. She enjoyed reading novels, playing solitaire on her computer, working outside in her flower bed, filling her bird feeders, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy…. we didn’t dare call between 7 and 8pm while her game shows were on.
She was loved by so many and will be deeply missed, but her family is comforted to know that she is no longer suffering.
Zettie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Francisco D. Tallarino Sr. ; three daughters and sons-in law, Natalie (Jim) Roth, Angela (Randy) Topi, Gina (Tony) Nash ; two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank (Genevieve) Tallarino Jr. and William (Maria) Tallarino; eight grandchildren; Jake (Hope) Roth, Kayla Topi, Kevin (Danielle) Topi, Korryn Tallarino, Cisco Tallarino III, Dominick Tallarino, William Tallarino Jr., and Michael Tallarino, and two great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by two sisters, Henrika (Joe) Dote of Blossvale, Dorrine Lyon of Albany; two brothers, Joe Jowett of Buffalo and Hank Welty of Syracuse, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Natale and Yvonne Tallarino of Raleigh, NC; sister-in-law Maria Tallarino, along with several nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own; lifelong best friends Carmen and Becky Proia, and lastly the joy of her aging years canine companion “Poncho”, who never left her side.
She was predeceased by two brothers Charles (Chuck) Welty and Clarence (Whitey) Jowett.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff on 2 North at Rome Health, as well as the caregivers at Bethany Gardens.
In honoring her wishes, services will be private. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St.
Natalie and family. These are difficult times and not much anyone can say really. She sounds like a remarkable woman in her day. I know you all must have your own special memories. Thinking of you all fondly at this time.
I’m sorry for your family’s loss. She must have been a pretty spectacular woman to have been an important influence on her spectacular granddaughter!
Nat,Angela,Gina, Frank and Billy
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person. I have so many wonderful memories of her. It’s so sad that they are gone but at least they are no longer in pain. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all.
Donna Ripa
She was such an amazing woman and I am so so grateful to have known her during my time of living in Rome, she will be greatly missed and is loved by so many ♥️ My heart goes out to all of you.
Gina and Tony, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. may you find comfort in knowing she is at peace. thinking of you during this time Mel