Rosalie Crimmins Silva Bassett of Edgartown died on Oct. 11, 2013 in the family home where she was born. She was 95. Her life was dedicated to her family and to her husband, Gordon W. (Bob) Bassett, who predeceased her in 1999 after 57 years of marriage.

Rosalie was born March 25, 1918 to William P. Silva (whose great-grandparents came to Edgartown from the Azores in the 1850s) and his wife Rosalie (Crimmins), who was born in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. Rosalie often talked about her happy childhood growing up in Edgartown, which was a small community then where you knew everyone in town. She attended the local schools and graduated from the Edgartown High School. Childhood friend Jodie Reynolds moved to Boston with her, and they roomed together while Rosalie attended business school and worked at Jordon Marsh weekends and holidays. After graduation, she returned to the Island and worked at the Cape & Vineyard Electric Company.

In September of 1941, Rosalie’s dear friend Esther Waller introduced her to Bob Bassett; their romance sparked and never waned. They married and raised seven children, and when all were in school or grown, Rosalie worked at the Welfare Office, in the county treasurer’s office and was secretary for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. She obtained her real estate broker’s license and enjoyed her years working with Barbara Nevin.

Rosalie was one of the founders of St. Elizabeth’s Guild, which she supported for over 60 years, and she loved playing bridge, especially with longtime partners Arlene Colter, Myrtle Teller and Jan Hathaway. Rosalie was an avid reader, hands-on gardener, accomplished cook and enthusiastic traveler. In recent years she enjoyed frequently lunching out with family, friends and her beloved caregivers.

Rosalie is survived by her seven children: Ann Bassett, Tod Bassett and his partner Lee Taylor, Neale Bassett and his wife Ellie, William (Boo) Bassett, Rosalie (Lee) Domont and her husband Fred, Tommy Bassett and his wife Polly. Her children will tell you that she was not only a devoted mother, but a truly great friend.

Rosalie’s grandchildren are: Ann’s children Lisa Bassett, Dorothy Whiting (and her husband Danny), and Grayson Pelletier (and his wife Melissa); Tod’s children Leah and Meadow; Neale’s children Eric and Keith; Boo’s children Zoe Petricone (and her husband Mark), Hannah Alexandra, Liam, and Heron; Lee’s children Eve (and her fiance Greg Carroll) and Jen Domont; Tommy’s children Melanie Richardson (and her husband C.J.), Seth (who died in 1995) and Jacob (and his wife Gretchen); and Polly’s son Fin Kaeka.

She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass was celebrated Friday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Main street, Edgartown.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Edgartown Firemen’s Association, the Edgartown EMTs, the Edgartown Patrolmen’s Association and Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.