Obituary of Gilda Anne Rogers

Gilda “Jill” Anne (Graham) Rogers passed after a short illness on Wednesday night, March 15, 2023.  She was 88 years old.  Jill was one of five children born to Grace and M. Harrison Graham.  Her dad, Harrison, was prominent in local government and at the time of his passing, the oldest lifelong resident of the Burlington.  Jill was born in Woburn and was a resident of Burlington until the age of 71.  She had wonderful memories growing up in the small farming community of Burlington.  She was a member of the Burlington High School Class of 1952 and she continually worked to keep her childhood friendships going through her involvement in high school reunions and luncheons right up to her passing.

Jill had a number of careers over the years.  She worked as a cashier at Busa Liquors, a teller at Tanners Bank, and for the last 25 years an administrative assistant at Office Paper Recovery.  With all those jobs, she was most proud of role as Matriarch of the Rogers family.  She ran her home, supported her husband Jim in all his activities and clubs, managed her six children’s busy schedules growing up, and was the proud Nana to 19 grandchildren and “Super Nana” to her 10 great grandchildren.  She loved when her house was filled to the brim with family, multiple conversations all going on simultaneously, and laughter and commotion filling the room.  It was then when she was the proudest and happiest.  She was the one who family looked to for advice or a helping hand, she would advocate for the underdog, and always saw the good in others no matter the situation.  In her final days and weeks, there was a steady stream of family and friends visiting, sitting at her bedside, and saying their goodbyes.  And during those days, she approached her passing with strength and dignity and thankfulness for having such a devoted and loving family.

Jill was that person that others gravitated.  She was the organizer, the first to call, and never said no to an invitation to get together.  She was social, outgoing, friendly, and kind, but never needed to be the center of attention.  She loved a good party, holiday celebration, or any type of social gathering.  She loved to laugh, but never at the expense of another.  Her sisters were like the 4 Amigos.  They would shop, dine, and travel together.  They were sisters and great friends.  It wasn’t uncommon for them to hop in the car together for a weekend away.  She loved the friendship she and her husband had with their best friends Ray and Margie McLaren.  The couples did everything together from family celebrations, dinners, clubs, and traveling.  Jill also made so many others feel special, appreciated, and happy to share her friendship.  She was a wonderful woman who brightened the lives of her family and friends.  She will be missed, but never forgotten.

Jill was beloved wife of the late James “Jim” Joseph Rogers.  She was the loving mother of Kevin & his wife Nancy of Burlington, Donna Ambrose & her husband John of Londonderry, NH, Kim Noonan & her husband Rob of Burlington, Terri Modesto & her husband James of Goffstown, NH, Kathy Ganshirt & her husband Karl of Plainville, and Sandy Rogers & her husband Paul Hoffman of Tewksbury.  She was the proud “Nana” of 19 and “Super Nana” of 10. She was the beloved sister of Roberta Maddox of Burlington, Bernice “Bunny” Ferguson of Burlington, Marilyn Lowe of Eliot, ME, and the late Malcom H. Graham, Jr.  She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., on Monday, March 20 from 4-7 p.m.   Funeral from the Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 21 at 9am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m.  Burial to follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. 

In lieu of flowers memorials in Jill’s name may be made to the Lahey Health Cancer Institute, https://giving.bilh.org/laheyhospitalmedicalcenter/.  

For online guestbook and video tribute, see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net