Dorothy Ellen Rosenberg

Dorothy Ellen Rosenberg (nee Rintala), 88, passed away April 8, 2021 at home in Granville from dementia complications.
She was born August 12, 1932 in Warren OH to Senja Aleksandra Rajasilta, a homemaker, and R. Everett Rintala, a tool and die maker. She graduated in 1950 from Warren G. Harding High School; attended Youngstown College; graduated with a Liberal Arts degree from Suomi College (Hancock MI) in 1952; a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green OH) in 1955; and a Master’s in Education degree from Salem State College (Salem MA) in 1962.
Dot wed the love of her life, Rev. Toivo V. Rosenberg, on July 7, 1956 and they started married life at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fitchburg MA. She was married to him for 21 years until his death in 1977. She lived in Fitchburg and Peabody MA; Fairport, Painesville, Chardon, and Granville OH; and in Finland 1958-59.
She worked as an educational assistant for the Fitchburg MA Art Museum; a substitute teacher (Peabody and Fairport); a speech/language therapist (Toledo and Painesville OH); and an auxiliary math instructor and 2nd grade teacher (Painesville OH) until her retirement in 1997 from Cedarbrook Elementary School. Thereafter she enjoyed book clubs, overseas travel groups, entertaining her friends, and volunteering at the Holden Arboretum and as an usher for the Cleveland theaters.
Dorothy was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church (Fairport Harbor OH) for 42 years, as the pastor’s wife for 14 years and leading or participating in several ministry committees throughout the years. She directed the Girls and Chancel Choirs and co-directed the Zion Singers and Stubborn Finns. She enjoyed singing in many choirs, quartets and duets. Her last 15 years she attended Advent Lutheran (Mentor OH) and St. Matthew’s Episcopal (Westerville OH).
Held dear to Dorothy was her strong Christian faith, her Finnish heritage, her varied musical background, and the fact that she and Toivo adopted their children, Marie and Eric. She spent many treasured summers at Camp Luther (Conneaut OH) and Chautauqua Institution (Chautauqua NY). In 1981, Dorothy began a sewing group with six dear friends. The “Ompelu Seura” (sewing club) met regularly for nearly 40 years for craft projects, good food, laughter, and sharing life events.
Dorothy’s presence brightened every room with her fun-loving spirit, graciousness, and beautiful smile. Her family and friends enjoyed her great sense of humor. She was a source of love, constancy, and steadiness for her children, instilling in them faith and gratefulness.
Besides Toivo, she is predeceased by her beloved brother Rev. Richard Rintala and loving parents. Dorothy is survived and missed by her children Eric Rosenberg and Marie (and Joseph) Kovitch; grandchildren Zachary and Jesse Kovitch and Alexandra and Isabelle Rosenberg; sister-in-law Barbara Rintala; and many friends.
Calling hours will be Saturday, April 17, 10:00am-Noon, at the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Home, 538 Fifth Street, Fairport Harbor OH. The funeral follows at 1:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 508 Eagle Street, Fairport, with Pastors Larry Mackey, Pentti Maki, Frederick Johnsen, Jim Kulma, and Joseph Kovitch taking part. Graveside service will follow at the Zion Lutheran Suomi Cemetery in Fairport Harbor, OH. MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Sacred Table Community Garden, c/o St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 30 East College Ave., Westerville OH 43081. Sacred Table is directed by Rev Joseph Kovitch with local community partners and the Episcopal Church to feed and support the most vulnerable on the west side of Columbus OH.
We appreciate any memories of Dorothy to be sent to 361 Spring Valley Drive, Granville OH 43023.