She was born Feb. 9, 1921, in Saco, a daughter and one of four children of Leon and Ella (Gordon) Knight. She was a 1939 graduate of Thornton Academy.
At the beginning of World War II, she met and married U.S. Army MP Harry Olaf Rosell of Stockholm, Sweden, and Brighton, Massachusetts. They corresponded for three long years while he served overseas. Though they later divorced, they were the proud parents of four children: Kurt, Elin, and identical twins Karl and Eric.
In addition to being a homemaker, she enjoyed her 16 years of employment in retail sales for women’s fashion at Ward Brothers in the Maine Mall. Throughout her lifetime of raising a family, she volunteered for the March of Dimes, AHA and the American Cancer Society.
“Dene” will be remembered for her sharp wit, strong-willed character, her love of a good lobster roll and the fresh ocean air. She often remarked that “for 84 years, I’ve lived in Saco and raised my family at OOB.”
She was preceded in death by: a son, Eric Rosell; a brother, Linwood Knight; and two sisters, Ruth Knight and Esther Knight-Willey.
She is loved by her surviving children: Karl Rosell and partner Patricia Rodrigue Cunningham of Manchester, Kurt Rosell and wife Rhonda Wiles-Rosell of Farmington and Belgrade Lakes, and Elin Rosell-Raff and partner J. Terry Christopher of Wappingers Falls, New York; a daughter-in-law, Susan Harris Rosell of Winthrop; grandchildren Jason Raff, Caroline Brackett, Erin Harrington, Dana Rosell, Keith Rosell, Kevin Rosell and Adam Emery Wiles- Rosell; seven great-grandchildren, Jolene, Noelle and Jack Brackett, Kaylee and Landon Raff, and Kyle and Kory Rosell; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to call 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (Route 2 and Route 27), Farmington.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, followed by a reception at the center. All are welcome. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.
If possible, in remembrance of Dene, please wear a piece of turquoise jewelry or clothing.
Remembrance gifts may be given to the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
Tributes and condolences may be shared on her memorial wall, where a video tribute will also be able to be shared, at wilesrc.com.
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