ROSALIND STEELE

1938 - 2023

STEELE--Rosalind Joan. Rosalind Joan Steele, was born on October 19, 1938 in Steubenville, Ohio to Wanda and Harold Roush. The second of three children, Rosalind spent most of her youth in Tampa, FL following the death of her mother. Raised by her Aunt Florence, Rosalind dreamed of escaping to New York City and worked tirelessly to save up the money to pursue her dream. At age 17, she bought a one-way ticket to New York City and quickly found work in the garment industry - at first as a model and then as one of the industry's first female production managers. Rosalind never stopped learning: taking classes at Columbia University, earning a degree in interior design, and as a frequent visitor of both the Whitney and the Asia Society where she was a member. Having visited approximately 50 countries, Rosalind was a student and long-time admirer of various cultures throughout the world. She was a spark plug of creativity, sewing her own original clothing, writing stories to engage the imaginations of children, composing songs to entertain her guests, and making art that captured the beauty of the world as she saw it. Rosalind had a marriage full of love and adventure to Alan Steele, her husband of 44 years before his passing in 2007. Together they had a daughter, Lisa, whom Rosalind loved dearly and worked day and night to support as she overcame intense childhood medical conditions. Rosalind was a loving grandmother to, Brittany, in whom she helped to develop a sense of style, and, Matthew, in whom she inspired a love for history and travel. Following her husband's passing, Rosalind was remarried to, Michael Washor, her first sweetheart as a young New Yorker recently arrived from Tampa, FL. They remained married until his death in 2015. Known as Joanie to those who loved her, she is survived by her daughter Lisa, son-in-law Doug, grandson Matthew, granddaughter Brittany, brother Harold, sister-in-law Susie, brother-in-law Ira, sister-in-law Marion, nephew Jonathan, and great nephew Alex. She is predeceased by her younger brother, Robert. Her family will be having a private burial. Donations can be made in her memory to Nobody Starves on Long Island at: nosoli.org/donate-now/