Jeannette Rotondo, 86, of Lee, passed away at home on Sunday, July 14, 2024, surrounded by her family. Jeannette was born in Pittsfield, on June 7, 1938, to Roger Besaw and Yvonne Gendron Besaw (both deceased) and is most remembered for her love of horses.
Jeannette was raised on a family farm in Vermont, was a competitive trail rider, and had a passion for music from all the time she spent with her father, who was an old-time fiddle player, Jeannette often accompanying him on her guitar.
Throughout her life, Jeannette gave her time to various causes, including the Girl Scouts, the Red Cross, 4-H, Colonial Carriage and Driving Society of Berkshire County, Young Farmers and Ranchers, Farm Bureau, and various therapeutic riding programs serving those with disabilities. She was often recognized for these efforts, being named 4-H Volunteer of the Year, receiving the Colonial Carriage and Driving Special Events Award, as well as the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation John Ogonowski Member of Year Award. Jeannette and her late husband Ralph Rotondo also had a farm in Lee where they raised numerous animals, including Arabian and Belgian horses, and were frequently recognized for their participation in local parades such as the Founder’s Day and Tub Parades, in which they would hook up their team of draft horses to pull historic and antique apparatuses from throughout the Berkshires.
Jeannette’s many accomplishments included helping to organize the Colonial Carriage and Driving Society in Berkshire County and participating on the founding committee that organized the first Tub Parade. She also held numerous roles with the Farm Bureau, including serving as the membership committee secretary for the Equine Committee. Throughout her life, she was instrumental in helping others learn to ride and often passed on her passion for animals in the process.
Jeannette is survived by her five daughters, Kathryn LaGrant (Donald Haywood) of Otis, Marie Rotondo (Don Cingrani) of California, Linda (Glenn) Pascoe of Australia, Elaine Lovato of Pittsfield, and Donna Rotondo of Lee; 11 grandchildren, Melissa LaGrant, Joshua LaGrant, Jonathan LaGrant, Matthew Tyer, Eric Tyer, Shannon Plaquet, Luke Plaquet, Zachariah Plaquet, Justin Lovato, Lindsey Lovato Sekowski, and Ralph “Joe” Rotondo; and 18 great-grandchildren, Nicholas LaGrant, Sophia LaGrant, Annie LaGrant, Dylan Tyer, Brayden Tyer, Bryce Tyer, Molly Tyer, Nia Tyer, Peter Tyer, August Plaquet, Logan Plaquet, Alora Plaquet, Xavier Plaquet, Imogen Plaquet, Tessa Lovato, Cameron Lovato, Ashton Sekowski, and Arden Sekowski; her brother Alfred Besaw of New Hampshire; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends Jeannette touched throughout her life.
Besides her parents, Jeannette is predeceased by two great-grandchildren, Kyleen Burrell and Ella Rose LaGrant; her sister Muriel Wise-Wassel; and her son-in-law Frederick LaGrant.
Jeannette was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she will be missed every day. Jeannette’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved and knew her.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life for Jeannette later this fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the adaptive/therapeutic program at Blue Rider Stables or the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. To share memories and stories, please visit the website of Roche Funeral Home.
