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Enid Oretta Rogers passed away peacefully on January 30, 2017 at Riverside Health Center in East Hartford, where she had lived since 2012, after living at Holiday House in Manchester for many years. Born in Manchester on January 30, 1943, she was the youngest child of John E. Rogers, Jr. and Oretta Majors Rogers. Enid graduated from Manchester High School and received an Associate's Degree from Hartford College for Women. She worked in New York City as a medical claims examiner for several years and did further study at Southern Connecticut State University before becoming ill. Enid loved art and music and she loved to travel, both in this country and in Europe. She had a phenomenal memory and enjoyed people and telling stories. Enid was predeceased by her parents, her brother John E. Rogers III and sister Margaret Dwen Andrews. She leaves her brothers Alfred R. Rogers of Rocky Hill and James O. Rogers of Mitchellville, MD and his wife, Lorraine; a sister-in-law, Henrietta Rogers; a brother-in-law, Douglas Andrews; nieces and nephews, John E. Rogers IV, Margaret Dwen Andrews, Meryth Dean Andrews, Sharon E. Rogers, and David A. Rogers; grand-nephews, John E. Rogers V, Edward Williams III, and Christopher Williams; and many cousins and friends. Her family wishes to thank the staff at Riverside and Masonicare Hospice for their loving care of Enid. Funeral arrangements are private with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Friends may contact the family via Rogers Family, 10450 Lottsford Rd, #4207, Mitchellville, MD 20721.
Published in The Hartford Courant from Feb. 1 to Feb. 2, 2017
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Nancy Hines (Sonnhalter)
I also knew Enid from the Green School through High School. In Elementary School we would ride our bikes together all over. Since we lived out near Shady Glen, that was the way to get around. She had a lovely family who invited me to stay for dinner on occasion. She was a good friend and a lovely person. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.
Nancy (Hines) Sonnhalter
Dorothy Sousa (Yeomans)
I have warm memories of Enid from the early grades. She had so much fun energy and an infectious laugh. I went to her Halloween party several years in elementary at Green School.
Her family members were so warm and gracious. Enid suffered from bigotry at the end of elementary school. Some classmates excluded her from social activities. My own parents had fears about my friendship with an African American.
Our sixth grade teacher noticed the excluding climate and addressed it head on. She called it what it was-bigotry with all its harmful effects. She spent the entire afternoon one day leading a discussion. Some of us were in tears; it made an extraordinary impact on me and I'm sure on others. As a result of Enid's pain, several of us have worked for a more just world to this day.
I tried to find Enid in later years but could not contact her. I am in contact with her now. Enid, continue to be empowered to work for justice in your new immortal responsibilities. Hugs, Dorothy
John Rice
Dorothy Souza Yeomans. I left the Green School and transferred to Buckley for the 6th grade. I remember Enid as a member of "our gang" who was included in everything. We never excluded anybody. Sad that it apparently changed. She was a wonderful girl.
Nancy Hines (Sonnhalter)
I agree with John Rice. I don't remember Enid being excluded. She was a part of us, but I also went on to Buckley. Nancy Hines (Sonnhalter)
Joan Carlson (Gimler)
I don't recall any issues, Dorothy. Were you in my class for 6th grade? I had Mrs. Poole. I don't remember if there were 2 sixth grade classes. I actually don't remember Enid being in my class. She was always playing jump rope with all of us at recess. She was just very nice. It must have been hard for her being the only African/American. I remember other kids being picked on, but not her. Kids can be so cruel.
Louise Cooper (Byron)
I went to school with Enid at Green School through HS. She was delightful, fun, caring.........an all around good person. I hope she's in peace.
Louise Byron
Meg (Margaret ) Green (Sullivan)
I remember Enid as a kind friendly person. I moved to Manchester as a freshman and felt very isolated in that big school. Enid was one of the people who smiled and said hello. She seemed to sense my discomfort and did not hesitate to reach out. I am so sorry to read some of these posts but I sadly believe them. May God hold her in his arms and give her rest. I will alway remember Enid as someone who cared.
Marilyn Rose (Matthews)
I first met Enid at church in Bolton I think. We shared birthday parties when we were younger but lost touch when we went to High School pretty much. I remember Enid as very kind and easy going with a sense of humor that reflected her depth and her ability to find sunshine in even potentially dark places. Actually I think she was the source of that sunshine herself. I do remember her with such fondness. I wish her family peace. It's alway so hard to lose the sweetest among us.
Muriel Melendy (Tobery)
I remember Enid as a very kind, friendly and happy girl. She alway greeted everyone with such a warm and wonderful smile. I am grateful to have known her and am saddened by this news. She was very special indeed.and I remember her fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Phyllis Solomon (Starr)
Enid loved to giggle! We spent many Friday nights at the famous MHS sports dances, staring at the boys giggling! We had long discussions about what to wear to them since Enid wanted always to look her best. She could have been a poster girl for all the lovely preppy catalogs!
We reconnected after college and she would either write me lovely notes or would call a few times a year. She did come to visit for a weekend with my family in Massachusetts years ago and we spent many hours chatting and catching up.
She was always interested in what I was doing, what my family was doing, and what all of our classmates from 1961 were up to. I always knew when a reunion was coming up, because that was when Enid would call me from wherever she lived to make sure I would be at the reunion. I am so glad someone took a picture of Enid, Susan McKinney Gemoets and me at the 50 th reunion (posted on our website). It was the last time I would see her. She did want to go to the 55th reunion, but she was not well at the time, and I was having knee problems.
I will miss the connection I had with this bright, warm, and sensitive woman. Phyllis Solomon starr