Rosana Marie Molinari

Rosana Marie (Caldwell) Molinari, 83, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at Boston Medical Center surrounded by family after a brief illness.

Born in Boston, Rosana was raised in Milton and was a proud graduate of Milton High School, Class of 1960. Rosana later took classes at Boston University and Laboure Junior College.

Rosana was a longtime resident of Stoughton before later moving to Easton and then Cape Cod, where she lived for 15 years. In recent years, she made her home in North Attleboro, where she lived near her son, Tom.

Throughout her life, Rosana held many positions, including working as a teacher’s aide, bank teller, and administrative assistant. Later in life, she discovered her true calling as a bridal consultant. She worked in bridal shops in Easton and on Cape Cod before fulfilling her entrepreneurial dream by opening her own bridal boutique, Brides By The Bay, in Falmouth, where she helped countless brides prepare for one of the most special days of their lives.  

Rosana had a lifelong interest in politics and public service. She was a dedicated longtime member of the Stoughton School Committee during the 1970s and 1980s, helping to shape educational policy and advocate for students and families in her community.

Before having children of her own, Rosana opened her heart and home as a foster parent through The Home for Little Wanderers, reflecting the compassion and generosity that defined her life. Yet her proudest moments came in watching her three children grow, flourish, and follow their own paths in life.

Rosana had the gift of gab and never met a stranger. Everywhere she went, she made a new friend with her warmth, humor, and outgoing nature. In recent years, one of her favorite weekly traditions was her hair appointment at Shear Images in Stoughton, where she loved spending time with the “girls” and catching up on the latest news.

A devoted sports fan, Rosana especially loved football and could always be counted on to cheer for the New England Patriots and the Clemson Tigers.

Rosana was predeceased by her mother, Rosana (Jones) Caldwell; her uncle, Joseph Jones; her husband, Edward Davey; her sister, Mary (Caldwell) Bradbury; her niece and goddaughter Mary Jo (Bradbury) Hinchliffe; and her former husband and friend, Joe Molinari.

She is survived by her children, Joseph Molinari Jr. and his wife, Annette, of Litchfield, NH; Susan Molinari and her husband, Brian Lincoln, of Canton; and Thomas Molinari and his wife, Carol, of North Attleboro. She was the loving grandmother of Samantha (Molinari) Musco and her husband, Payton, of Merrimack, NH; Nickolas Molinari of Litchfield, NH; Griffin Lincoln of Chicago, IL; and Elsa Molinari of North Attleboro, as well as her beloved “fur grandbaby,” Kirby Lincoln.

Rosana will be remembered for her dedication to her community, her entrepreneurial spirit, her love of politics and sports, and, above all, her friendships and the deep love she had for her family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home located at 455 Washington Street, Canton on Friday, May 29th  from 10-11 a.m. followed immediately by a funeral service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Boston Medical Center, in memory of Rosana. Contributions can be made at bmc.org/giving. You can also mail donations to Boston Medical Center - Office of Development, 960 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02118. For checks, please include Rosana’s name in the memo line.

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