Obituary for Rosemary Ann Dodge
LITCHFIELD – Rosemary A. (Graves) Dodge, passed away at home on December 3, 2020, after a six-year struggle with Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dementia. Her flame has gone out but the warmth of its glow will live on in all that knew her. Rose and her twin brother, Richard, were born to Norman and Kathleen Graves in Brockton, Massachusetts on November 13, 1943.
Rose was a native of Foxborough, MA, and graduated from Foxborough High School. She then received her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire.
Rose and her ex-husband, Ed, moved to Torrington approximately fifty years ago and then to Litchfield five years later.
Rose had a long working career always serving the public with her winning ways. Her first career was in selling real estate for the Bredice and Dean Agency in Torrington. Later she went to work in customer service for County Stationers which later became The Desk Drawer. Rose’s last career move was where she really found her calling working as a Therapeutic Recreation Director at the Village Crest Center for Health and Rehabilitation in New Milford.
It was shortly after her retirement that she told us she was having trouble finding words. We all were in denial but she persisted and tests were done. Then began her battle. Not once during the next six years did she ever say “why me”? She wanted the facts about what she had and what could or could not be done about it. She faced her future without self-pity and with the help of the amazing staff at Companions and Homemakers, especially Amie and Donna, she found joy in every day. In fact just an hour or less before her last trip to the hospital caused by a swallowing issue she was dancing to the “Oldies” with Amie, her live-in caregiver.
Rose was pre-deceased by her parents and her twin brother, Richard. Left behind to mourn her loss and at the same time cherish her memory are her three children; Bethany Beliveau (David), Mike (Lori), Dr. Jessica (Heather) as well as grandchildren, Kyle and Emily. Also her brothers, Peter (Linda) and Russell, as well as her partner for the last eighteen years, Al Trowbridge.
Because of the pandemic there will be no in-person memorial service. The last thing Rose would want would be anyone to become sick by attending a service in her honor. Because they live out of state Beth and Mike wouldn’t be able to attend.
We are asking all who read this and knew Rose to help the family heal by taking part in a virtual memorial service in Rose’s memory. Please go to the Thurston Rowe Funeral Home website (www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com, click onto the tribute wall and share a memory, a prayer or condolences.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in Rose’s memory to the Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 651, Litchfield, CT 06759.
Rose was a native of Foxborough, MA, and graduated from Foxborough High School. She then received her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire.
Rose and her ex-husband, Ed, moved to Torrington approximately fifty years ago and then to Litchfield five years later.
Rose had a long working career always serving the public with her winning ways. Her first career was in selling real estate for the Bredice and Dean Agency in Torrington. Later she went to work in customer service for County Stationers which later became The Desk Drawer. Rose’s last career move was where she really found her calling working as a Therapeutic Recreation Director at the Village Crest Center for Health and Rehabilitation in New Milford.
It was shortly after her retirement that she told us she was having trouble finding words. We all were in denial but she persisted and tests were done. Then began her battle. Not once during the next six years did she ever say “why me”? She wanted the facts about what she had and what could or could not be done about it. She faced her future without self-pity and with the help of the amazing staff at Companions and Homemakers, especially Amie and Donna, she found joy in every day. In fact just an hour or less before her last trip to the hospital caused by a swallowing issue she was dancing to the “Oldies” with Amie, her live-in caregiver.
Rose was pre-deceased by her parents and her twin brother, Richard. Left behind to mourn her loss and at the same time cherish her memory are her three children; Bethany Beliveau (David), Mike (Lori), Dr. Jessica (Heather) as well as grandchildren, Kyle and Emily. Also her brothers, Peter (Linda) and Russell, as well as her partner for the last eighteen years, Al Trowbridge.
Because of the pandemic there will be no in-person memorial service. The last thing Rose would want would be anyone to become sick by attending a service in her honor. Because they live out of state Beth and Mike wouldn’t be able to attend.
We are asking all who read this and knew Rose to help the family heal by taking part in a virtual memorial service in Rose’s memory. Please go to the Thurston Rowe Funeral Home website (www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com, click onto the tribute wall and share a memory, a prayer or condolences.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in Rose’s memory to the Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 651, Litchfield, CT 06759.