Obituary of Maura A Rodenhiser

Maura A. Rodenhiser, a retired executive administrative assistant, passed away after numerous battles with lung cancer over the past 13 years on Friday, March 29, 2024.  She was 66 years old.  Maura was born in Cambridge.  She was one of seven children born to Helen (Cavanaugh) Browne and Jack Browne.  She had a wonderful childhood growing up in Cambridge.  She was a graduate of North Cambridge Catholic High School.  Maura went right to work after high school starting with Cadillac Paint Company in Brookline.  She then went to work for IBM for many years. During the next 20 plus years, she would be a part of numerous mergers and acquisitions where her employer changed from Motorola, ElronTelesoft, Google, and CommScope. She worked in the Human Resources department, in many roles and eventually became an Executive Administrative Assistant. She enjoyed her career, but even more, she enjoyed the friendship shared with her many coworkers. 

Maura met the love of her life, Alan Rodenhiser, in April of 1992. They married two years later in April of 1994.  They lived in Billerica for a few years then Tyngsboro for 12 years. They built their dream home in Ayer MA, where they have lived for the past 13 years. They were a team, shared passions, and brought joy, spontaneity, and fun to each other’s lives.  They were members of the Porsche Club of Nashua Rally Club.  Maura enjoyed riding around with Al in his bright yellow 2000 911 Carrera convertible that they drove in the warm weather months.  Once Maura got over her “windblown hair”, the couple participated in many Porsche Road Rallies with friends, that were day and weekend events. They visited wineries, restaurants, resorts, and other destinations, talked cars, and had fun.  Al was the driver and Maura the navigator, wearing her Miami baseball cap.  Maura loved going to the beach.  She enjoyed going to Hampton and Salisbury beaches, but her most favorites were those in Maine, especially Long Sands Beach in Ogunquit.  As a couple, they loved to travel.  Their long list of destinations included Aruba, England, Ireland, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Mexico, Antigua, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Greece, and numerous other exotic destinations.  Their most recent trip was a Rhine River cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.  Maura loved to decorate her home for all the holidays and special occasions.  She had quite a collection of holiday decorations that she perpetually changed and updated.  She was also a great organizer.  She would happily spend hours going through her kitchen reorganizing her cabinets.  She was always more than happy to take on that role for friends or relatives, whether they asked for it or not! She loved searching for homes for her nieces and nephews and would spend hours searching online real estate sites to try and find a good deal for them! Maura and Al weren’t blessed with their own children, but were second parents to all her nieces and nephews. She was thrilled when she was included in family celebrations, events, and even wedding dress shopping.  She loved being part of their lives and spoiled them with gifts and attention.  She loved people and could strike up a conversation with anyone.  When she and her girlfriends were younger, Maura was the best wing woman for her friends.   Maura will be remembered as a fighter who had a vibrant and bubbly personality, zest for life, generous to a fault, and filled with kindness and love.

Maura was the beloved wife of Alan Rodenhiser, with whom she would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on April 29th. She is survived by her precious step-mother, Anna Browne of Woburn. Maura was the much loved sister of Kate Maloney of Stamford, CT, Peggy Degou of Burlington, Matthew Browne & his wife Mindy of Chesne, SC, Lisa Price & her husband Jack of Billerica, Sean Browne & his wife Doreen of Billerica, and the late Burlington Police Officer Thomas Browne, and her step sister Patricia Kornfeld and her husband Howard of CA. She was the sister-in-law of Patricia Michaud of Lunenberg, Leslie “Lynn” Buckley & her late husband William of Londonderry, NH, Howard & Margaret Rodenhiser of Groveland, Christine Rodenhiser & her late husband Richard of Saugus, Karen Knorr of Georgia, Janice Rodenhiser of Wilmington, Carol and Jim Swanson of Ocean Isles Beach, NC, and the late Stephen Rodenhiser.  Maura was also survived by her many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, friends and her two beloved cats Bella and Charger.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Tuesday, April 2 from 4 to 7pm. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 3 at 9am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Malachy Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10am. Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. 

In appreciation for the efforts and outstanding care Maura received, memorials may be made to the Beth Israel Lahey Health, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, https://giving.bilh.org/laheyhospitalmedicalcenter/ways-to-give/   529 Main Street, 4^th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129 for oncology treatment and research.

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