Rosalind Napack

Rosalind Napack, a true English lady, passed away peacefully in Greenwich, Connecticut on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the age of 90. She lived a rich life full of love and was surrounded by her adoring family through her final days.

Rosalind was born on April 29, 1934, to Alfred Reeves and Ellen Gale in Tolworth in the county of Surrey, England. She lost her father in 1936, leaving her mother to raise Rosalind and her older siblings, Hazel and John. As a young child, she loved her doll, Betty, and dreamed of riding horses.

As World War II raged in Europe, Rosalind, Hazel, and John were sent to the Royal Commercial Travellers' School in Hatch End. There, she earned honors, made lifelong friends, acted in plays, and engaged in sport, a passion she continued as an avid tennis player and, later, golfer.

As the jet age bloomed in the 1950's, Rosalind decided to spread her wings. She was chosen by Pan American World Airways for an elite, pioneering stewardess corps that would usher in the Jet Age.

Based in New York, the English lady soon caught the eye of a young entrepreneur, Robert Napack. R&R fell in love and were soon married, beginning a quintessential love story that ran for 68 years. They settled on Long Island where they built a wonderful family and a wonderful life. For decades, Rosalind and Robert sailed the Atlantic coast together on a series of boats, each aptly named the English Lady.

Rosalind may have left England in 1957, but England never left Rosalind. English customs and rituals were ever present, from afternoon tea, taken with lovely biscuits and, hopefully, a good friend, to her resplendent Christmas dinners, finished with mince pies and flaming Christmas pudding. In fact, her three children have each recently become UK citizens.

Rosalind was indeed the quintessential English lady. This was evident in everything about her. She always radiated elegance, grace, and compassion. People were drawn to her, and all were welcomed with an open heart and a good cup of tea.

Rosalind's relationships were deep and lasting, and those lucky enough to enter her orbit will forever carry the warmth of her inner light. She is survived by her husband, Robert, her children, Mark, Brian and his wife Elise, and Alison and her husband Jim, her big brother John and his wife Patricia in England, her six grandchildren, her cousins, nieces and nephews, and her many, many lifelong friends, all of whom she cherished.