Kirsten H. Rockwood

Kirsten H. (Hedberg) Rockwood, age 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at her home in Needham, Massachusetts.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 12, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Roy Elliot and Ruth (Hallquist) Hedberg.  Kirsten was raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She graduated from Tolman High School in 1965 the same year she was crowned Rhode Island Junior Miss.  She continued her education at Pembroke College, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, with the Class of 1969.

Following her graduation, Kirsten began her career in financial services taking a position with Studley Schuper in Boston, working as an administrative assistant.  She made her home in Medford, Massachusetts, before finding an apartment in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston with some of her girlfriends.

Kirsten married her beloved husband, Bob, on September 16, 1972, on the campus of Brown University, where the young couple had met.  Together, they made their first home in Auburndale, before settling into their home in Needham, Massachusetts in 1974.  Kirsten continued making the commute to Boston on a daily basis, until welcoming her son Erik in 1979.  She quickly transitioned to the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her family and welcoming her son, Todd, in 1982.  As her boys grew up, Kirsten returned to her career, taking a position with Charles River Hospital in Wellesley, serving as an administrative assistant until the closure of the facility in 1998.  She went on to take a position with the daycare center at Saint Andrews Church in Wellesley, before circling back to her role as an administrative assistant in financial services, taking a job with Wachovia Securities.  Kirsten remained with Wachovia through two different mergers, retiring from Wells Fargo in 2014, after many years of dedicated service.

Kirsten enjoyed tennis, needlepoint, cross stitch and collecting antiques.  She loved to bake for her family, and her homemade hot fudge sauce was always well received around the Holidays.  She was happiest when surrounded by family, especially her precious grandchildren.  She loved watching her husband-to-be play hockey at Brown, and was a huge supporter of her children and grandchildren as they found their own joy in various sports, among other activities.  As her disease progressed, she was blessed to have a wonderful home health aide, Rose, who continually showed compassion and unwavering support to both Bob and Kirsten. 

Beloved wife of Robert C. Rockwood for over 50 years.

Loving mother of Erik C. Rockwood and his wife, Martha, of Wellesley and Todd E. Rockwood and his wife, Jill, of Needham.

Cherished grandmother of Jack, Bobby, Meg, Liam, Owen, and Gavin.

Also survived by her many loving cousins.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Kirsten's Life Celebration on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Funeral Service will be held at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, Rhode Island in the Historic Chapel on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Swan Point Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Kirsten H. Rockwood to either:

The Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.  

or Alz.org/donate

VNA Hospice & Palliative Care, Fund Office Development,199 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923   or via www.vnacare.org/donors