Mary “Bee” Rodde

Thursday, 05 November 2009 10:35

Mary “Bee” Rodde of Napa, Calif., a former 40-year resident of New Canaan, died July 15 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. She was 86.

Born in York, Pa., on January 27, 1923, Mrs. Rodde spent her youth there before attending Westminster Choir College and Princeton University. She married the late Arnold Rodde, a chemist and marketing executive with Texaco, before settling in New Canaan and raising three children.

As her family described her, “with her example of deep compassion and a loving nature, we did and always will carry Mom in our hearts.”

“Her parishioners at the Methodist Church, where she was organist for several years, her many piano students in and around New Canaan (where she taught for more than 25 years) and the friends and neighbors whose lives she touched will forever remember her for encouragement, her individuality, her wit and her kind and gentle soul,” family members said.

Mrs. Rodde is survived by her children, including her daughter Sandy Sachs, of Newport Beach, Calif.; her son Scott Rodde and his wife, Helen, of Napa; her son Tom Rodde of Boston, Mass., and nine grandchildren.

Donations in Mrs. Rodde’s memory may be made by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or by calling 800-272-3900.