Published in the October 19, 2018 edition
STONEHAM — Rosamond K. “Posy” Parks, 93, longtime Stoneham resident, died peacefully on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Posy was born on January 14, 1925 in Malden, one of three children of the late Fred C. and Ruth E. (Williams) Smith. She grew up in Malden, graduating from Malden High in 1943. While in school she developed her love of music. She played the trumpet in the high school band, and sang in the choir.
Posy’s love of music carried over into her adult life. She enjoyed writing songs, and sang professionally in the local area for many years. She also took great pride in singing at the weddings of her loved ones.
Posy met Hugh M. Parks while he was in the Navy. His ship was docked in Boston undergoing repairs after suffering an onboard fire. They got married in Georgia on September 29, 1944, and went on to enjoy almost 70 wonderful years together.
The young couple moved to San Diego during the war, returning to Massachusetts and settling in Stoneham in 1945. There they started their family.
Posy was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She kept a neat house, and was active in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s lives. She attended all the school events she could. She filled her home with love, humor, warmth, and homemade cookies.
Posy looked forward to her summer trips to their little red family cottage in Tenants Harbor, Maine. She also enjoyed road trips, and traveling to Bermuda with her beloved Hugh.
A quick witted and sassy woman, Posy would pounce on someone with a joke when the opportunity arose. She was also patient, and a great listener and comforter, but she always felt a little humor could bring levity to almost any situation. In her world, her glass was always half full and she could find the beauty in everything.
Birding became a favorite hobby of Posy. She served as the President of the Stoneham Bird Club, where she and her friends would travel to many different parts of the country to go birding. Her favorite bird was the Cedar Waxwing, and her favorite places to go birding were Plum Island, Maine, and Texas.
Some of Posy’s other interests were reading, especially mysteries, crossword puzzles, listening to show tunes, with her favorite artist being Anthony Newley, and volunteering. She helped at The Mission of Deeds for many years, and at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, where she was a member.
A strong, talented, beautiful soul has passed. Posy touched many people through the years, and all are better for it. She will be dearly missed.
Posy is the beloved wife of the late Hugh M. Parks with whom she shared nearly 70 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Hugh M. “Marv” Parks, Jr. and his wife Eileen of Tenants Harbor, Maine, Alan B. Parks and his partner Joe McKay of Mt. Desert, Maine, Nancy E. Nee and her husband Michael of Plymouth, and Jeffrey D. Parks and his wife Lauren of Malden. Dear sister of the late Evelyn Donley, and Nancy Smith. Also survived by numerous grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Rosamond’s life at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin St., Melrose where her funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, October 20 at 10 a.m.
Gifts in Rosamond’s memory may be made to Mission of Deeds, 6 Chapin Ave, Reading, MA. 01867; Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin St., Melrose MA 02176; or the National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, NY. 10014.
For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
