Rosalyn Naomi Shlager
Rosalyn Naomi Shlager died Sunday, February 25, 2024, two days before her 97th birthday.
Born in Somerville in 1927, Rosalyn had more recently lived for over 20 years in Wellesley at Glen Grove Senior apartments, where she had many loyal friends. For the last three years she was lovingly cared for by the staff of Hebrew Senior Life in Roslindale. She had been married for over 63 years to her devoted husband, Sumner, prior to his passing in 2010. Rosalyn was the daughter of the late Philip and Bertha Flaxman, and was predeceased by her dear sister and confidant, Marion Dreifus.
Beloved mother of Bruce and his wife Michele, Jeffrey and his wife Isabele, and Gary. Devoted grandmother of Jocelyn and her husband David, Jason, Jessica and her husband Matt, and Vanessa.
Loving great-grandmother of Brandon and his wife Siobhan, Brianna, Camron, Charlotte, and David, great- great-grandmother of Sinead. She was also a devoted Aunt to Jay, Peter, Kurt, and Lauren (of blessed memory). She is survived by numerous cousins, great-nephews and nieces.
Roz was devoted to her family and happiest when spending time with them. She enthusiastically welcomed new family members with open arms and always had a welcome mat out for her sons’ friends including “#4 son” Robert Curran, a classmate of Bruce. She was often described by family and friends as vibrant, high energy, feisty, and full of life, . . .all the more impressive because of her childhood battle with paralysis caused by polio. Her full recovery contributed to her lifelong interest in staying fit and active. For many years Roz and her husband Sumner volunteered for the Bowleros, a Natick area bowling league providing community-based recreation and sports activities for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, including annual visits to performances of the Boston Pops. She was highly knowledgeable about Boston’s professional sports teams and strongly rooted for the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. She loved the excitement of being at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, particularly enjoying her many years of trips to the casino with cousin Natalie, and later, with her daughter-in-law Isabele.
In the late 1940’s Roz entered the workforce as a sales clerk at Boston’s Filene’s Basement, where she honed her skills for providing top quality customer service while also learning to love shopping. After leaving the workforce to raise her three sons, she re-entered the work world as an office manager and salesperson at Sid Green’s Wayside Dinette and finished her retail sales career at Filene’s at Natick Mall.
Roz was enthusiastic about acquiring all kinds of kitchen gadgets, and she loved to bake. Her one-of-a-kind chocolate chip cookies, cranberry squares, and mandel bread are just a few of the baked goods that are legendary within the family, which also enjoyed many helpings of Roz’s kugel, apple sauce, sweet and sour meatballs, and rice stuffing, particularly at Thanksgiving.
Rosalyn will be greatly missed by family and friends. May her memory be a blessing and may she be at peace.
Donations in Rosalyn’s name may be made to Charles River Center, Needham; Hebrew Senior Life, Roslindale, or a charity of your choice.
Graveside services are private. A springtime gathering to celebrate Rosalyn’s life will take place at a later date.