Rosabelle "Rose" Marrotte

Rosabelle J. Marrotte, "Rose", passed on to meet her loved ones on May 23, 2011. She was born on December 15, 1918 in Willimantic, Connecticut, daughter of Donat and Alexandrina Gadoury. Rose and Roderick Marrotte were married in 1940 and made their home and raised their family in Columbia, Connecticut. Rose was predeceased by her husband Roderick, her son Mark Anthony Marrotte and her grandson Jason Marc Metivier. She leaves three loving daughters and their families, Theodora Brown and husband Tony in Durham, North Carolina and their two sons, Dr. Joshua Brown and wife Kelsey in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Nathaniel Brown and wife Dr. Kathy Yu in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Jacquelyn Lindsay and husband Peter in Columbia, and their three daughters, Jessica Morris and husband Matthew in Hoboken, New Jersey, Gretchen Lindsay in Stamford, Connecticut and Abigail Lindsay in Columbia; and Pamela Metivier and husband Peter in Columbia and son Travis in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Rose leaves a daughter-in-law, Dawn Marrotte and her two sons, U.S. Army Specialist Kyle Marrotte in Fort Drum, New York and Troy Marrotte in Mansfield Depot, Connecticut. She also leaves six adorable great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and two siblings in Florida, Lorraine Allain and Raymond Gadoury. With a keen interest in American history and antiques, Rose had an antique shop in Columbia and Putnam for 22 years, and she was a long-time member of the Columbia Historical Society. She was a founding member of the Beckish Senior Center where she was instrumental in creating a computer literacy program for its members. Rose was a member of St. Columba's Church in Columbia and St. Mary's Church in Willimantic. A person of limited formal education and a challenging childhood, Rose was an incredible, sweet, independent, and determined woman who continues to be an inspiration to her extended family. She had a keen interest in politics and current affairs, a willingness to venture into new areas of interest such as painting and computers, and a wonderful sense of humor. More than anything else, Rose will be remembered for her selfless lifelong commitment to her husband and her children. In her later years Rose found the freedom to act on her curiosities, speak her mind, do exactly what she wanted to do, and embrace life to the fullest - always surrounded by her loving and supportive family. What a great way to cross the finish line. We should all be so lucky. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday May 26th between 5:00 and 7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday May 27th at 11:00am at. St. Mary Church, Valley St. Willimantic, with assembly at the church. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jason Marc Metivier Scholarship Fund and mailed to: Windham High School/Dollars for Scholars, 355 High Street, Willimantic, Connecticut 06226. For online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com . .