Rose R. Dill

Rose R. Dill passed away peacefully on October 23, 2025 at The Terrace Assisted Living in Slingerlands, NY after a battle with cancer. Rose is survived by a loving circle of friends including Alexandria Douglas-Bartolone, Linda Tucker and Carole Miller, Carol Hornibrook, Barbara Brundage, Georgia Gray and Ginnie Weber. She was a long-time resident of North Greenbush, NY and Apache Junction, AZ and known for her kindness and generosity.
Rose was an environmental activist during the 1980s and 1990s. She worked predominantly to promote environmentally friendly practices. She was also a champion of women's rights, and worked to provide support for impoverished and disabled women.
Rose graduated from Keuka College in 1960 with a B.A. in Chemistry and Biology and worked as a research assistant at Sterling Winthrop Laboratories for a number of years. She taught at Maple Hill High School in Castleton, NY. While teaching at the school, she founded the TERRA Project that brought together high schoolers and taught them environmentally friendly practices that led to organizing a recycling system for their community. Rose was very humbled by her time as a teacher.
She earned her Master's Degree in Biochemistry in 1967 and eventually her Ph. D in Urban and Environmental Studies in 1983, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1989 Rose returned to RPI to teach as an adjunct professor in the Department of Urban Development. By 1992 she had become the co-director for the school's Urban and Environmental Studies Center. While she was teaching at RPI, Rose Dill also held a position in the Governor's Office. By 1989 she had become the Executive Deputy Director of the New York State Division for Women working for Governor Mario Cuomo. In this capacity she worked to improve the quality of life for women, championing better access to reproductive healthcare, benefits for disabled women, care and resources for women with AIDS, and a more equal workplace.
Per Rose's wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral. Friends will host a celebration of life gathering in November to share food, drinks and good Rose stories at Chez Mike's Restaurant in East Greenbush. If you would like to be notified of the date, include contact information in an email to tuckmill3@gmail.com. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rose R. Dill, please visit our Tree Store.