Rosalie Ainslie Plunkett

Rosalie Ainslie Plunkett
Born: April 2, 1951
Mother: Shirley Mae Lloyd Ainslie of Rockland, MA
Father: Frank Willard Ainslie of Marshfield, MA
Place of Birth: Jordan Hospital, Plymouth, MA

Rosalie Plunkett passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her at home on March 15th. Rosalie was born in Cohasset, MA. She had eleven siblings, and many nieces, and nephews. Siblings: Frank Willard Jr, Hatherly (Buzzy) Ainslie, Marsha Ainslie, Edward Ainslie, Ruth Wilder, Joseph Ainslie, Eric (Zeke) Ainslie, and Margaret (Peggy) Ainslie. She was predeceased by sisters Merrylee Wilkinson, Joanne Melvoen, and baby Janice.

Rosalie leaves behind her husband Jack Plunkett, together 50 years. A daughter Delia Mae Plunkett, partner Bill Brosseau, and her two children Cheyanne and Felix of Waterville, ME. A daughter Holly Plunkett Hubbard, husband Tim, and their two children Harper and Oliver of Waterville, ME. Two step-children (who were like her own), Katharine Haynes, husband Chris, and their two children Heather and Brendan of Kingston, MA. John Plunkett Jr., and partner Angela Harrer, of Marshfield, MA.

Rosalie attended Marshfield High in MA where she was a top athlete, holding many track and field school records and receiving multiple presidential awards from Lyndon B. Johnson. She enjoyed running, biking, softball, and field hockey. After school, Rosalie took an interest in the healthcare profession, working at various care facilities. In the late 70s, Rosalie and her husband Jack, started a life together in Colebrook, NH, where she worked as a home health aide at the Coos County Nursing Home.

Later, Jack and Rosalie moved to Northumberland, NH to reside on the generations-old Plunkett farm on Lost Nation Road. Soon after relocating, Rosalie joined the team at Weeks Hospital as a rehabilitation aide where she worked for 20 years. During her time at Weeks, she achieved her LNA and later became the Activities Director. Right up until this last year, she worked as needed as a patient sitter. She truly enjoyed working, and getting to know her patients.

Rosalie was a dedicated wife, mother, and friend. One of her favorite pastimes was riding her bike. She'd often ride the 5 1/2 miles into, and back from work. In 2008, she trained hard, and rode in the Prouty with her Weeks team, raising money for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. She kept an active life snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, biking, making meals for the family, taking photographs, and keeping a watercolor nature journal. She was quite an artist and truly appreciated the beauty and wonder of nature.

Rosalie was always generous to flash a smile and share in some light-hearted humor. Her get-up-and-go energy, and easygoing nature made her a treasured loved one, community member, and friend. She had a positive attitude, and had a gentle way about her no matter the situation. She handled life's twists and turns with grace, strength, and the wisdom of taking it one day at a time. She enjoyed her days with a vivid awareness to the things around her that others might take for granted such as sparkling snow, chickadees chirping, a bed of fresh wild strawberries—all of life's simple pleasures. Health, family, and home life always came first. Her family and friends will miss her dearly.

A celebration of life service will be held this summer at St. Timothy's of Lost Nation, with a backyard reception at the Plunkett home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Activities Program of the Rehabilitation Department at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, NH. Checks can be made out to Weeks Medical Center, care of Lisa Tetreault, and marked with the memo, "Rosalie Plunkett Activities Fund."