Rosalys Wilson

1931 - 2020

Rosalys Wilson obituary, 1931-2020, Peterborough, MA

BORN

1931

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Services

25 Concord Street

Peterborough, New Hampshire

Rosalys Wilson Obituary

Rosalys B. "Rosie" Wilson passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2020, in Peterborough, NH at the age of 89.

Rosie was born on March 28, 1931, the third child and only daughter of John George Buckles and Constance Opal Williams. She lived and attended school in Etna, Indiana, later becoming the first female President of North Webster High School representing the Class of 1948.

In 1952, Rosie received her BA in Education from the University of Indiana. While in attendance in Bloomington, she met William A. "Bill" Thorndike from Boston and they were married on June 13, 1953. During their marriage, Rosie and Bill had four children, and lived in the Boston area until the time of their divorce in 1976.

Determined to continue her education, Rosie ran a catering business from her kitchen to pay for courses at Northeastern University focused on educating emotionally-disturbed children. She earned her "Masters of Education" from Northeastern in 1973 and was hired by the Dedham Junior High School where she was instrumental in creating a newly-formed Special Education Department. Rosie was a valued and cherished member of the faculty there until her retirement in 1987.

Rosie was an avid bicyclist in the 70s and 80s. With her pedaling partner Anne Dunne, she toured Holland, Denmark, Germany, England, Scotland, plus parts of Canada and the United States.

While managing four children, two dogs, a full-time job, and countless other activities, Rosie met Roger B. Wilson, an ardent skier and father to six children. From that first moment, he became the love of her life. Rosie and Roger were married on April 18, 1980, living in Dedham, MA at the outset and then retiring to Grafton, VT seven years later. At 46, with Roger alongside, Rosie found a new enthusiasm for skiing. Ultimately, she and Roger skied all over the world, including France, Italy and Austria, Vail, Jackson Hole, Snowbird, and just about every mountain in New England. Skiing together cemented the two of them within the free-spirited community of the Drifters Ski Club in Jackson, NH, which embraced them as the beloved senior members of that organization for too many years to count.

In Grafton, Roger and Rosie purchased Bancroft, the Wilson summer home for generations, and immersed themselves within the wonders of small-town living. It was said that Rosie and Roger adored Grafton almost as much as they did each other.

Always in motion, in Grafton Rosie was a popular elementary school volunteer, was very active at the Grafton Historical Society and created the Society's artifact data base. Rosie took immense pride in the fact that she was elected Grafton's first female Town Moderator, a post she held until the time she and Roger moved to a retirement community in neighboring New Hampshire.

In 2006, Roger and Rosie Wilson were named "Outstanding Citizens of Grafton" by the Vermont State Legislature. "She has become a civic leader and a town historical guardian of incomparable breadth and vigor," the resolution read.

The 2006 move to RiverMead in Peterborough, NH, was a blessing in many ways. Roger's health continued to deteriorate, and he received great love and care there until his death in 2009. Even without the beloved other half of the "R&R" duo at her side, Rosie thrived as always within the RiverMead community. She played water volleyball, organized talent shows and tag sales, started a RiverMead chorus, taught Contract Bridge lessons, and organized tournaments. Her most recent enthusiasm was for croquet, where her children noted that even in her late 80's her ever-present desire to vanquish any and all opponents was omni-present.

Rosie is survived and missed by her beloved brother Jack E. Buckles of Eaton Indiana, her four children; William A. Thorndike Jr. (Sarah) of Sullivan, NH, Benjamin W. Thorndike of Boston, MA, Edward D. Thorndike of Benson, VT, and Katherine E. Thorndike (Edward Scott) of Nelson, NH, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, six step-children, nine step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren. There will be a private family celebration of Rosie's well-lived life in Grafton, VT at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Rosie's memory be made to the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter, Post Office Box 3053, Peterborough, NH 03458

To share a memory, or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.jellisonfuneralhome.com

Published by Monadnock Ledger-Transcript on Sep. 23, 2020.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Rosalys Wilson

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Offering our deepest condolences at this difficult time.

Jellison Funeral Home The staff at Jellison Funeral Home

September 23, 2020

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Rosalys Wilson's name

Memorial Events
for Rosalys Wilson

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Services

25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458

How to support Rosalys's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Rosalys Wilson's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more