Rosa Mela

Rosa Mela, 70, resident of Dania Beach, Florida passed away on February 27, 2015.

Rosa Luraschi Mela, a worldly woman who raised four children and never stopped learning, passed away Friday in Hollywood, Fla., following a long illness. She was 70.
Known as an avid reader with a taste for history, Rosa educated herself through literature, traveling and living. She spoke three languages, and conversed mostly in Italian. Her views on subjects ranging from Garibaldi to the American Civil War were never predictable.
Rosa was born near the end of World War II in Durazzo, Albania, and grew up in Treviso, Italy. She lived for many years in Valencia, Venezuela. She moved to south Florida with her family in 1980.
Rosa loved spending time with her husband, Cesare Mela, and their four children, Hilda Portwood, Virginia Yusko, and Roberto Mela and Ricardo Mela. Over the years, she lived in Plantation, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., where she worked at Pasta Mami, and Dania Beach, Fla.
Rosa had a special relationship with coffee and food, and was known for her fabulous dessert displays, particularly at Christmas. She enjoyed playing the piano.
Rosa was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother Marco Bala and nephew Thomas Sheti. She is survived by her four children and their husbands and wives, Mark Portwood, Dennis Yusko Jr., Kika Mela and Christine Jayjack Mela; three grandchildren, Angela and Lisa Portwood, and Dario Yusko; two sisters, Elizabeta Bala and Emy Mosconi; four nieces, Gabriella Perez, Claudia Mosconi, Rozemaria Bala and Sonia Sheti; four nephews, Gian Paolo Mosconi, Alberto Mosconi, Josef Bala and Antonio Bala; lifelong family members Alberto Rivalta and Vittorio Rivalta; and other family and friends.

Rosa will be buried at 1 p.m. Monday in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, North Lauderdale, Fla. Memorial contributions may be sent to hospice



Graveside Service will take place on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 1:00 PM, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, located at 1500 S State Road 7, North Lauderdale, Florida 33068 (954)972-1234

Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.