On Saturday April 9 our beloved neighbor Rosalie Beal died peacefully with her two daughters Leslie and Laine by her side. We will miss her.

In 2012 only five minutes into meeting Rosalie, I felt like part of her family. After inquiring about the off-season sublet of her Berkshire home, I found myself sitting at her kitchen table chatting like old friends while she prepared chicken cutlets for the entire group of Tanglewood Fellows. I quickly realized she made everyone feel like family — including our standard poodle Bertie whom she warmly welcomed as a tenant.

Two years later, we bought the house next door. What a delight to be welcomed to the neighborhood under Rosalie’s wing. Through her we met many interesting and vibrant people. Her door was always open and hot dogs (served with sauerkraut) always on the grill and vodka (served with lemon) always in the freezer. Well into her 80s she still walked all the way into Lenox Center or paddled her kayak around Lake Mahkeenac. And Bertie always knew when she was in town leading us to Rosalie’s for a treat.

A couple years ago, Rosalie had a stroke. She was confined to a wheelchair and needed full time care. Nonetheless, she insisted on being in the Berkshires for the summer. She couldn’t easily go to her beloved Tanglewood so her Tanglewood family came to her. The sound of violin floated through the neighborhood. And just three weeks ago Rosalie came for a visit. I can only sense that she was saying good-bye to this place she so loved. Rosalie was a part-time resident but full-time spirit of the Berkshires. Good-bye Rosalie. Thank you for the energy and love you shared so freely.

https://www.carmonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Rosalie-Beal?obId=24542415#/obituaryInfo