Rosalie Hoge

Rosalie C. Hoge, April 23, 1921-May 3, 2012 Rosalie Jessie Colton Hoge passed away May 3, 2012, at the age of 91. She loved everyone she met and all those with the good fortune to have met her loved her in return. Beloved Ro Hoge (born Rosalind Jessie Colton) entered life in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, the second of three children of Ralph L. Colton, a First World War Naval officer and graduate in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and Florence Wilson Colton, a homemaker and graduate of Bryn Mawr College. Ro grew up in the historic Harriton House of Bryn Mawr, which her father had purchased, restored and refurbished as a beautiful family home. The summers of Ro's youth were partly spent off the coast of Mt. Desert Island, Maine, where she fell in love with the rocks (especially her favorite “Big Rock”), the seas, the salty fogs and the tall pine trees. Generations of her family had gone to sea, and like them she carried a love for adventure and faraway places. Her father suffered a tragic death in a boat accident in 1931. Afterwards, Ro spent part of her summers at Fern Mountain in Arizona with family members and dear friends. She had many happy times there. These experiences gave her an abiding love for the American West and her taste for old-time cowboy songs. She graduated from Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, and was rated as one of the top young mathematics and physics students in the United States at the time. In 1939 Ro attended Vassar College, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Due to family circumstances and the coming of World War II, she was unable to complete her studies at Vassar. During the war, she served with the Red Cross at Valley Forge Military Hospital and worked for the U.S.O. At this time, she met, fell in love with and married (in 1946) Army Medical Corps Captain George Lee Hoge, Jr. George Hoge graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. (Ro and George were divorced in 1979.) After a honeymoon to Mexico, Ro's early married life was in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Following the birth of their first child, the Hoges moved to Texas, and then to Colorado as George fulfilled his Medical Corps commitment to the Armed Forces for his education. They were subsequently posted to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and West Point, New York, before George left the military for private practice. In 1951 the family moved to Boulder, Colorado. In Boulder, Ro joined the Newcomers' Club and the Welcome Wagon, and also served Meals on Wheels to help elderly and shut-in people. In these groups, and wherever she was, she developed enduring friendships and fond memories. Raised as an Episcopalian, over the years she added elements of numerous other religions to her broad and tolerant belief system. Throughout her life, she kept her core value that you were closer to god in nature than anywhere else. Ro always said that she never met a person she didn’t like. In spite of personal sadness’s and hardships, she maintained an almost preternatural cheerfulness and outward-looking friendliness. She took an interest in and cared about so many people. But her dearest love and closest attachments of all were with her large, close and rambunctious family. She is survived by her eight children, of whom she was very proud: in birth order, Robert Hoge, George Hoge III, Bill Hoge, Rick Hoge, Pam Hoge, Patty Hoge, Penny Hoge, and Peggy Hoge. Numerous other friends thought of her as their own second mother or aunt. Ro is survived, in addition, by eleven grandchildren: Colton Hoge, Ben Hoge, Jenny Hoge, Jeff Hoge, Heather Hoge, Hilary Hoge, Rebecca Reid, Sophia Walder-Hoge, Zoe Walder-Hoge, Peter Chopra and Jessie Chopra. Three great grandchildren also survive her: Brooklyn Hoge, Nathaniel Hoge and Katelyn Hoge. She was preceded in death by her grandson Michael Hoge, and brothers Ralph and Sabin Colton. Among Ro's foremost attachments in life were her animal friends. Along with her children, she loved and raised dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, guinea pigs, rabbits, lizards, parakeets, parrots and various injured wild animals. They all were a part of her profound love of nature. Ro always kept well informed with current affairs, and to the end of her life, she had a rye sense of humor. She was superb at telling jokes, even racy ones. She loved all holidays, any excuse to celebrate life and family. She never tired of her constant cooking, cleaning, nursing, mending, gardening, teaching and nurturing. And she still seemed to have endless time for friends and family in need. Her largest frustration at the end of her life was not being able to help others. But still she managed to spend countless hours each day consoling people on the telephone (maybe you were one of them?). With her happy, friendly smile and sparkling eyes, Ro brought a touch of sunshine and merriment to all those she knew. Her delight was in doing things for other people, giving the gift of whatever she could (she said it lit up her happy spot in her brain), and living with kindness and selflessness. She will forever remain in our hearts and in the spectacular sunsets of brilliant clouds (she always saw animal shapes in the billowy formations) and the majestic mountains of Boulder. Her family has tremendous appreciation for all of Ro’s caregivers over the last 6 months, including Boulder Community Hospital Home Care and especially Family Hospice. Thanks to Carroll-Lewellen funeral services for their tender care and respect. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held later. Condolences may be sent to her home. We also welcome your thoughts and memories at the website: http://www.carroll-lewellen.com/05032012hoge-rosalie/ Donations may be made in her name to the Boulder Valley Humane Society, Nature Conservancy, American Red Cross, Boulder’s Homeless Shelter, and Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (in Texas). Service Information A service summary is not available