Rosely Lucy Gaum

Rosely Lucy Gaum

May 6, 1922 - May 18, 2024

Rosely, also known as “Rosie” or “Juggie,” was born on May 6, 1922 to Leong Bing Gaum and Moy Shee Yet. She was the oldest of seven sisters who grew up in Boston. She attended the Prince School in the Back Bay and graduated in 1940 from Girls’ High School in Roxbury. She went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy where she was one of a handful of women studying for her licensure. After graduating in 1945, she moved to Washington, DC where she worked for Peoples Drug Store. During her time in DC, she witnessed segregation and discrimination unlike anything she had ever experienced in New England. After four years, she returned to Boston to become the proprietor of her own pharmacy and soda fountain, West End Pharmacy in Waltham, MA. Her final position was the Director of Pharmacy at Choate-Symmes Hospital where she served for 25 years until her retirement in 1988.

Rosie resided in Chestnut Hill, MA and spent many winters in West Palm Beach, FL. In her spare time, she enjoyed socializing with friends, golfing, bowling, and playing bridge. She enjoyed games but also had a competitive spirit which resulted in her winning more games than she lost and accumulating a slew of trophies which followed her to the end. She was independent and had a sense of adventure that spurred her to try many new things including flight school, owning her own business, and traveling the world. Her globetrotting included many countries like Egypt, France, England, Morocco, and Australia, but her favorite was China.

Rosie leaves three sisters: Lillian Wu of Ossining, NY; Jennie Ahern of Falmouth, MA; and Claire Toy of Philadelphia, PA. She was predeceased by her sisters Eveline Lee, Ann Moy, and Isabelle Kee. Her longtime caregivers were her oldest and youngest nieces, with whom she shared a birthday: Caroline Chin of Newton, MA and Kara Kee Borah of Needham, MA. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless friends she made wherever she went.

Visitation will be held in the Eaton and Mackay Funeral Home, 465 Centre St, Newton Corner, on Wednesday, May 29th from 10 – 11am. A Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home on Wednesday at 11AM, followed by interment at Forest Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rosely Gaum to a charity of your choice.

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