Roswitha W. Trayes

Roswitha Trayes, 92, of Rockport, beloved wife of the late William H. Trayes, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence on Monday, December 22, 2025, surrounded by family and caretakers.
Roswitha was born in Germany on November 5, 1933, daughter of the late Christel and Wilhelm Schuster. Her family became refugees during World War II and spent one year on Pellworm, an island in the North Sea. Her time there left a deep impression on Roswitha that she would often recall in stories or when playing the accordion. After the war the family settled in Stuttgart, Germany where Roswitha attended the first Waldorf school. She was 19 years old when she met her husband in Stuttgart while he was stationed in Germany and moved with him to the United States. Roswitha and Bill spent 63 years in marriage together, the last few decades of which in Rockport.
Roswitha was known for her gracious personality, her elegance and love of reading, music, art and gardening. However, above all else Roswitha deeply loved her family, many of whom lived their lives in Germany. She traveled regularly to visit them, and they often summered in Gloucester in one of Roswitha and Bill's many houses. There is no one in Roswitha's family who was not touched by her generosity and keen interest in every part of their lives. She kept detailed records and photos of everybody which chronicled their lives and achievements.
Roswitha was a highly accomplished businesswoman who ran the real estate business she and her husband created. She was a founding member and financial supporter of the Cape Ann Waldorf School, now known as the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm in Beverly, Mass. Roswitha and her husband were strong supporters of students at several other institutions, and their generosity enabled many individuals to further their education.
Roswitha is survived by her sister Anita Manning and brother Dr. Wolfgang Schuster, her sister-in-laws, many nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, her committed care staff who grew very close to her and devoted years towards Roswitha's well-being and comfort, and her dedicated staff at Trayes & Co., which she treated like family.
In keeping with her wishes there will be no religious services. Visiting hours and remembrance will be held in the Greely funeral home, 212 Washington Street Gloucester on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 2 to 4 pm. Family and friends are cordially invited.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Roswitha's memory to Beth Israel Hospice Program at https://bilhathome.org/giving or Action, Inc. at https://actioninc.org/donate/