Rosalie Chad

Rosalie Chad, age 98, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2021 at The Falls at Cordingly Dam in Newton, MA. For 63 years, Rosalie was the beloved wife of the late Morris Chad (who died in 2013 at age 92). She was a  loving mother of David and his wife Rita, and Ruth and her husband Mark Friedman. Cherished grandmother of Rebecca Chad; Emma, Avi and Simone Chad-Friedman. She was a dear sister to the late Harriet Hurwitz and her husband Milton and fond aunt of Eliot and his wife Magdalena Hurwitz, and Alan Hurwitz. Rosalie is also survived by loving cousins and friends. Rosalie was born in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of the late Ruth (nee Stang) and Simon Levowitz. Rosalie often spoke of her parents and cousins and the summer days they enjoyed in their Long Beach bungalow; and the beautiful “perfect beach days” when they spent time together while savoring the surf and sand. She went to public schools in Newark and the Bronx; and spent her later teen age years and young adult life in Manhattan, attending NYU where she received a BA with a major in English. Rosalie’s first job was as copy writer for Macy’s, and with a gift for expression she enjoyed the creative process of short story writing for the rest of her life. She was also a lover of books and was a devoted participant of book group at her assisted living facility in Newton. Rosalie met Morris (a Canadian from Montreal) in 1948 at Green Mansions, a rustic resort in the Adirondacks with an emphasis on musical performance and theater, shared experiences they continued to enjoy over the course of their lives. They married the next year and settled in Montreal where Rosalie devoted herself to her children and her home, yet found time to take continuing education courses in writing skills; and in her later 50s and 60s to pursue training in social work at the local community center. In 2005 Rosalie and Morris moved from their home of 50 years in Cote St Luc, Montreal to a nearby assisted living community, Castel Royale. For several years before he passed away in 2013, Rosalie was a devoted and loving caregiver to Morris. In 2016, after more than 60 years of living in Montreal, Rosalie bravely moved to Massachusetts to be close to David and Ruth and their families and settled into assisted living. For two years she was a cherished resident of Avery Crossing in Needham and since January 2018 has been a beloved member of the Falls community at Cordingly Dam in Newton, mustering the energy to participate in activities and programs. She has coped gracefully and courageously during the pandemic, despite severely limited social connections before her 7-day April 2020 hospitalization for COVID; and after discharge, as she strived to recover her strength and raison d’etre. Her family, friends and staff members were inspired by Rosalie’s resilience and determination to prevail despite adversity. Only recently did her strength diminish, and we witnessed the dimming of her ardent fortitude. The memory of her passions and the challenges she so bravely met during her long and fruitful life will stay with us forever. Rosalie’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Deb Foster, executive director of the Falls for the support and care she and her staff provided to Rosalie over the four years she lived at the Falls. A memorial service will be held at the Burke and Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St., Newton, MA on Sunday, December 12th at 12 Noon.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Rosalie’s name may be sent to the Falls at Cordingly Dam, (arts and activities fund), 2300 Washington St, Newton MA, 02462, or Continuum Care Hospice, 500 West Cummings Park, Suite 6300, Woburn, MA 01801, www.continuumhospice.com