Petersburgh – Rose Mary Gerstel Hewitt died April 2, 2014, in the home that she cherished on Hewitt Road in Petersburgh, NY, with her devoted daughter Margaret by her side. She was born March 6, 1912, and had recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. In addition to her parents she was pre-deceased by her husband, Lloyd Hewitt, her sister, Katie Gerstel Doyle, and her brother, Adolph Gerstel.
Born in the Bronx, NY, Rose was the daughter of hard-working German immigrants Ignatius (George) Gerstel and Theresa (Tess) Reitmeyer Gerstel. Her family took the train to Chatham, NY, when she was a child and then traveled by horse and buggy to arrive and settle on a farm in Stephentown, NY. She attended high school in Berlin, NY, and was also a graduate of Berkshire Business School. She was an employee of the Berkshire Gas Co. prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, Lloyd Edward Hewitt. Rose worked in the family business H.V. Hewitt & Sons as office manager and bookkeeper for many years.
Rose wholeheartedly contributed to the local area over her many years, from staffing the lookout tower and spotting enemy planes during World War II, to serving as a dedicated member of the Petersburgh Fire Auxiliary, to being well known for her ready hand to help anyone in need. She was much loved throughout the valley and always had a great twinkle in her blue eyes and a quick smile that captured the fun of the moment. Among her hobbies were days spent touring in their Model T Ford and cruising with The Bennington Antique Car Club, being a faithful member of Home Bureau and the Taconic Valley Women’s Craft Group. She was a talented artist and filled her home and others’ with paintings, hooking and knitting projects. And there will never be another chocolate chip cookie on this earth as good as the ones Rose once baked every Saturday morning!
Rose was a one of a kind soul who quickly endeared herself to young and old. Her passing leaves a hole in the heart of many. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Margaret Ann Hewitt, who for the past twenty years has dedicated herself to caring for her mom. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who were the luckiest kids, young and old, to have been loved by Aunt Rose.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home. Friends and family are welcomed to attend a graveside service at Meadowlawn Cemetery on Hewitt Road in Petersburgh on Sunday, April 13, at 12:30 pm. A Mass in celebration of Rose’s life will be held at a later date. Rose was a deeply spiritual lady, and it seems fitting to invite donations to the church that she loved, Sacred Heart Church, in care of Our Lady of the Snow Parish, P.O. Box 234, Grafton, NY, 12082.
To light a candle or to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.