Rosalie Marie Laroe

ROSALIE MARIE (KWIATKOWSKI) LaROE Born September 4, 1922 in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Mary Barbara (Tarnowski) Kwiatkowski. She leaves her husband of 61 years, Edward G. LaRoe, Sr., of Ashford. The couple was married July 26, 1941 in Hartford. A 45 year-long resident of Ashford, Rosalie enjoyed spending time with her loving family. Mrs. LaRoe worked, for many years, for the University of Connecticut, retiring in 1972. After retirement, she began caring for foster children. As a foster mother, Rosalie cared for approximately 50 children, loving them and raising them as she did her own children. Besides her husband, Rosalie leaves seven sons and one daughter: Edward LaRoe Jr., of Stafford Springs and his wife, Geraldine, Gerald LaRoe of Newington and his wife, Carol, Alan LaRoe of Des Moines, Iowa and his wife, Sharon, David LaRoe Sr., of Ashford, Keith LaRoe of Hebron and his wife, Karen, Karen (LaRoe) Slowik of Chaplin and her husband, Donald, Brian LaRoe of Marlborough, and Craig LaRoe of Pomfret and two close, longtime, family friends whom she loved deeply, Mark Page of Marlborough and Carl Ducharme of Pomfret. She also leaves 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She is survived by one sister, Elizabeth Gutekenst of Florida. She was predeceased by brothers Michael Kwiatokowski, Paul Kingston, Leonard Kenwood and Francis Kwiatkowski; and sisters Gladys Robertson and Helen Giansanti. She leaves behind a legacy of love, commitment and devotion to her husband and children. Rosalie will be deeply missed by all who have known her. Her loving touch and great smile will be forever engrained in the minds of those whose lives she has touched. Potter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Ashford, CT 06278. A funeral service will be held at St. Joseph?s Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic Friday, April 18, at 9:30AM with a graveside service immediately following. A celebration of her life will continue at the home of her daughter, Karen Slowik, immediately following burial.