Rosina R. (Zia) Kenitz, 93, died in 2026. Born Rosina Cristina Ruffolo on May 1, 1933, in Marano Principato, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy, to Assunta Magliocchi and Emilio Ruffolo, she immigrated to the U.S. with her mother and brothers aboard the S.S. Rex in 1936, beginning a life defined by learning, service, and generosity.
She developed a love of decorating and cooking under the guidance of her mother. She had a remarkable collection of more than 1,000 bean recipes, affectionately earning her the title of “The Bean Queen.”
A lifelong learner, she attended Lawson Elementary School and graduated from Austin High School. Although she was the daughter of Italian immigrants and a non-native English speaker, she attended Northwestern University, and became a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She earned her Bachelor of Education and teaching certification and later returned to Northwestern to complete her Master of Education degree.
In June 1959, she married the love of her life, a Galantuomo named William Dean Kenitz from Montello, Wisconsin. Their marriage lasted 45 years until his death due to a service-related illness.
Rosina dedicated her life to teaching in suburban elementary schools, and found her professional home at Roosevelt Elementary School in River Forest, where she taught students with learning disabilities for 33 years. Through her patience, compassion, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential, she positively influenced the lives of many students and their families over a 37-year career.
From her 30s through her 60s, she was a nationally ranked mixed doubles tennis player and organized tournaments across the country. Later, she became an accomplished bridge player, and proudly defeated an entire field of tournament players during a Holland America cruise.
Her greatest gift was the way she brought people together.
Rosina is survived by her nieces and nephews, Matthew (Lakshmi) Davis, John (Kim) Davis, and Sarah Davis, Susan, Daria, Robert, Rhonda, and Christopher (Dina) Ruffolo; her grandnieces and grandnephews, Seetha (Chad) Davis, Krishna Davis, Josephine Halporn, and Eva Halporn, Peter Robert, Christine Elaine, Isabella, and Fulvia Rose (Luigi) Ruffolo; her great-grandniece and great-grandnephew, Maddalena and Salvatore Vittone; many beloved cousins; and countless treasured friends.
Our family extends special thanks to her cherished condominium neighbors and dear friends, Maryellen, Joyce, and Olga, whose companionship, kindness, and love enriched Rosina’s life for many years. She had an extensive network of friends from the Scully, Higgins, and Steinbach Families. We are also grateful to all those who provided compassionate support for Rosina’s health in so many ways.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Dean Kenitz; her parents, Emilio and Assunta Ruffolo; her brothers, Peter and Fiore Ruffolo; her nephew, Emilio James Ruffolo; and her parents-in-law, Curtis Kenitz and Ann Mason Kenitz.
Services were held on Aug. 5.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Rosina’s name to Misericordia https://www.misericordia.com/pages/giving would be greatly appreciated.