Rosemary (Crouthamel) Sortor, 87

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NATICK – Rosemary (Crouthamel) Sortor, born on March 22, 1934 in Perkasie, PA, grew up outside of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Rosemary’s father, Russell Crouthamel (Kathryn Apple) ran the family business making men’s trousers during the war. She left her small town to attend Colby College (class of 1956) and met her sweetheart for life, David Sortor (class of 1956). She studied sociology, which would serve her well later in life, obtaining a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University.

With that pedigree in hand, Rosemary served her community at several institutions throughout Metro-West during the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, assisting people with self-management skills. She spent the last part of her career working at the Day Hospital in Framingham, Mass.  

David and Rosemary were wed in Newport, RI in August 1956. While David was finishing the navy, and then starting a career in oral surgery, they finally settled in Sherborn in 1966. It was here that they built their lives together, raising three children, Deb, John and Sue. Sherborn was where they established deep roots in their friendships and community involvement, culminating in the creation of the Sherborn Inn (now The Heritage), which they opened in 1988.

Rosemary was a prolific knitter, making countless sweaters, hats and mittens for her three children, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She loved to read, owning an extensive collection of history and biographies. But her true passion was gardening, spending countless summers outside, tending to the beautiful landscape she created.  

She was a member of the Natick Audubon Society, The Boggestow Garden Club of Sherborn, a friend of the Sherborn Library, Historical Society, and a devoted member of the Pilgrim Church for 50 years.  
In her final years, she continued to be an avid walker, dedicated to “the girls”, that helped keep her strong and fit throughout her ‘80’s.  

Rosemary is predeceased by her husband David, and is survived by her cherished family; daughter Debbie Parnon and husband Tom of Darien, CT, son John Sortor and wife Denise of Colchester, VT, daughter Sue O’Malley and husband Bill of Medfield; grandchildren Russell, Eric (Olivia), Geoffrey Parnon; Cassie (Chris Gendron) and Jackie Sortor; Caitlin (Peter Maglathlin), Sean, Jake (Emily) & Brian O’Malley; great-grandchildren Will and Isabelle Maglathlin; Chiara and Chloe Gendron; her brother Jake Crouthamel (Carol), and nieces Lisa and Christie; and an exchange student from South Africa who became a son and brother to the family, John Biesman-Simons.

Rosemary passed away on March 12, 2022, surrounded by family.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at Pilgrim Church, 25 South Main Street,Sherborn on Friday March 18 at 3 p.m.

Private burial at Pine Hill Cemetery in Sherborn.

Arrangements by Everett Funeral Home in Natick.

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