Carolyn S. Rogers (nee, Stackenwalt) of Glen Mills, PA, (formerly Collingswood and Marlton, NJ) died early on the morning of Thursday, January 16th, 2014 after a brief illness.
She was born June 20, 1924, to Francis M. and Helen (nee, Rose) Stackenwalt in Camden, NJ. She married George E. Rogers (deceased, 1975) in Runnemede, NJ, on September 25, 1948. They raised their children in Marlton, NJ.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Janine (nee, Rogers) and Craig Bean of Glen Mills, PA, Mark and Melissa Rogers of Plumsteadville, PA, Richard and Melissa Rogers of Harleysville, PA, and her “adopted” daughter, Beth McMillen of Glen Mills, PA.
Her sister is Jean (nee, Stackenwalt) Williamson of Collingswood, NJ, and her nephew, Francis M. Stackenwalt of Edmond, OK. Her deceased siblings were Francis E. Stackenwalt of Collingswood, NJ, Thomas L. Stackenwalt of Hi-Nella, NJ, and Edythe Stackenwalt of Camden, NJ.
Her grandchildren are Jesse and Tanya (nee, Sabine) Bean of Weymouth, Nova Scotia, CAN, Benjamin, Jeremiah, and Joshua and Erinn (nee, Waganer) Bean of Glen Mills, PA, Sarah Bean of San Francisco, CA, Abigail (nee, Bean) and Min-Soeng Roh of Queens, NY, Meghan Rogers of Delanco, NJ, Meredith Rogers of Philadelphia, PA, and Susannah and Phoebe Rogers of Harleysville, PA.
Her great-grandchildren are Atticus and Phineas Bean of Weymouth, Nova Scotia, CAN.
In addition to tireless devotion to family, she worked as a secretary/assistant at the Pennsylvania Railroad, Sears and Roebuck, Phillip Morris, Reynolds and Schaffer, Legal+Plus Software Services and others. Her speed typing and transcription skills were legendary and she taught herself to keep-up with advances in technology from typewriters to word processors and computers. Her work ethic was remarkable- during her career at Sears she worked for 8 straight years without a single sick-day. She was a valued employee and never had trouble finding employment- working into her 70’s and often holding both full and part-time employment simultaneously.
But secretarial work was a primarily a means of sustenance for her and her loved ones. Carolyn most embodied the roles of Sister, Wife, Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother- the callings in life that she most cherished, and seemed born to fulfill. After the deaths of her parents, she helped raise her younger sister, Jean and remained devoted to Jean and later, Jean’s children, for life. She was an extraordinary mother, teacher, provider and nurturer for her own children and grandchildren; setting an example of devotion to family that lives on in each of them. She overcame the losses of her parents, sister Edythe, bothers, and husband with inspiring grace and resolve to carry on without complaint.
After the death of her husband in 1975, she purchased a lakefront home in Lake Harmony, PA, which was the site of many memorable family gatherings for seven years. Her idea of the best time at the Lake involved having as many family and friends as possible with her there, and doing her best to ensure that THEY had a good time. She derived most of her personal satisfaction from sharing what she had with others, unselfishly and without concern for repayment.
The Queen of Section 321 at Veteran’s Stadium during football season, she was also a lifelong Eagles fan and will be remembered cheering them through victories and pacing the concourse to shake-off the sting of defeats. If she had been given the chance, she would have also mothered Randall Cunningham, whose skills and athleticism thrilled her for many years.
Near the end of her life, she often repeated that she felt fortunate- having a wonderful family, a comfortable home (in the Bean residence in Glen Mills, PA), with everything she needed. She did not envy those who had more than her, realizing that the key to happiness was not the things you may have, but instead the people you have in your life and the love and life that you share with them.
She maintained a sweet and loving disposition until her final day. As a result, she will be missed by everyone who knew her, and her memory will be cherished by all of her relatives for all of their time.
Funeral service Saturday 9:30am at the Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, 4220 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven, Pa, 19015. Visitation Saturday 8:30-9:30am at the funeral home. Graveside service 12noon at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ.
www.carolynsrogers.com
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