Rosaleen Baldwin

Mystic - Devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, Rosaleen (Mantzaris) Baldwin of Mystic, passed away while lovingly held by her family on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, in Michigan. She was the wife of the late Lawrence Baldwin.

She was born in Providence, on Aug. 25, 1935, the daughter of the late Athanasios and Paraskeve (Manjeris) Mantzaris.

In 1957, she graduated from Rhode Island College with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. During her first teaching assignment on Fishers Island, she met her beloved "Larry", who she married on Aug. 27, 1960, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Providence. She later taught first grade at Mystic Academy and eventually left teaching to raise her children.

While Rosaleen had many passions including singing and her Greek heritage, her greatest joy in life was her family. She valued raising her children in the Orthodox faith, and she cherished the time spent with her granddaughters, whether it was introducing them to songs and games from her own childhood, teaching them Greek, or simply sharing time together. Rosaleen's quick mind retained stories, songs, and poems for every occasion. Among her many beloved traits, she will be remembered for her tenacity, sense of humor, and steadfast devotion to those she loved.

Rosaleen was a faithful member of St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church in New London, where she sang in the choir for over 40 years. As a young woman in the 1950s, she taught Sunday school and served as choir director in the Providence church. She trained under Christos Vrionides at the national conference for Greek Orthodox choir directors at St. Basil Academy in New York.

She is survived by her son, Dr. James L. Baldwin and his wife, Mary Suzanne Patek, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; her daughter, Jennifer Kettledon and her husband, Brian, of Westbrook; and her cherished grandchildren, Julia Maria and Anastasia Rose Baldwin of Ann Arbor. She also leaves behind a sister, Gloria Walsh of Medway, Mass., and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband of 42 years, she was also predeceased by her sister, Denise Vettiger of Colombia, South America.

There are no calling hours. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, at St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church, 200 Hempstead St., New London, followed by the burial service in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rosaleen's memory to St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church.

Please visit www.byles.com for directions, to sign her guest book, or to share a memory.