Rosalie Hogan passed away quietly at Cambridge Hospital on Friday, 4/24/20, having experienced complications resulting from COVID 19. Born in Belchertown, Massachusetts on 5/18/1938, she was brought by her parents to the Belchertown State School when she was 5 years old and given up to the care of the State. She reported that she never again saw her parents, and she wasn’t fortunate enough to be adopted.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t have family. From her years in state hospitals to her triumph and success in living in her own apartment in Somerville, Rosalie touched the lives of everyone she met with her beautiful smile, and her absolute determination to make the best of her life, as independently as possible. Neither a mental health disability nor even a fractured hip could slow her down. At 81 years of age, she kept her mind active with television game shows such as “Family Feud”, chatted with neighbors, called her case manager three or four times a day, and insisted upon carrying her own trash out to the curb. Rosalie is survived by her closest neighbor, Eileen Levin, and the many supporters and friends who loved her, including those from the Department of Mental Health in Boston; her day program through Cooperative Elder Services in Arlington; Somerville Cambridge Elder Services; former supports through the Vinfen ACCS; her team of dedicated home health aides through Metropolitan Home Care in Arlington; housing support services through CASCAP; and the House Calls program through the Cambridge Health Alliance.
While there are perhaps too many specific names to mention, one stands out. Linda Lombardi, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, was someone that Rosalie particularly cared about (“I think I’ll call Linda to find out what she’s doing today”). Linda took the time to be with Rosalie during her last hour, determined that this sweet, dear lady wouldn’t pass from this life alone.
Rosalie Hogan, in a million years you will never be forgotten.