Rosa Joan Calandra Rosa “Rose” Joan (Panetta) Calandra, 88, died April 26, 2008, at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to her family.

Funeral Mass took place at Holy Redeemer Chapel with burial at Holy Cross Mausoleum in Culver City, Calif.

She was born Aug. 29, 1919, in Sheridan to Bruno and Francesca Panetta. She attended Sheridan schools and sang with the Holy Name Catholic Church Choir. She moved to Butte, Mont., Denver, and Chicago pursuing a career in opera singing.

In Chicago, she sang with the Lyric Opera House and the De Paul University Church Choir. She moved to Santa Monica, Calif., where she became a member of the Bella Vocce group, a choir that supports the Los Angeles Opera.

She married Victor Calandra in 1964 in Sheridan. They were married 30 years.

She enjoyed painting, the ocean and her many pets.

She was preceded in death by her husband; three sisters, Rafaela (Ethyl), Matia Jean, and Carmella; and three brothers, Frank, Joe, and Walter.

She is survived by several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The Sheridan Press - June 5, 2008