Mary Kidder Rogers was born on July 10, 1927 in Bridgeport, Conn. and died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the age of 88.

Moving to the Vineyard from Connecticut at a young age, Mary and her family spent the winter in West Tisbury and the summer in Oak Bluffs. She was graduated from the Tisbury School.

In 1945 she met and later married her soulmate, Otis A. Rogers, and they built their life, raised their family, and just recently celebrated 69 years of marriage. During her early years of marriage she helped provide for her family by working at various jobs. In the summer she could be seen as a waitress at LaBell’s restaurant and the Boston House. She would invite young summer workers over to their house to enjoy their company and to give them a home away from home.

In 1964 she became Oak Bluffs tax collector. Her work meant a great deal to her and she was well respected. Not intimated by technology, she helped to initiate the process of automation in the town. She traveled to UMass Amherst for education in her field and was certified. Mary was an active member of the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association. She was compassionate to anyone in need and successfully helped many people with a gentle kindness until her retirement in 1989. Over the years Mary was an involved member of her church, Trinity Methodist, where she belonged to an active women’s group, the Triniters. This group organized fundraising and provided for church needs.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and is survived by her husband, Otis A. Rogers; two children, Russell Rogers and Nancy Giordano and her husband Richard; and grandchildren Daniel Rogers and his wife Kimberly, Leanne Bartkowski and her husband Jeffrey, and Michael Giordano.

Mary spoke with fondness of her days in West Tisbury skating and sledding and the many friends she had there while enjoying a close-knit community. While most of her off time was devoted to her family, Mary loved the beach, beach pluming, and making her jelly and red pepper relish. She and Otis would find their solace in the car. They traveled many years to Florida on vacation and met with many of their Island friends. Otis and Mary could be seen almost daily on the drives all over the Island that they affectionately nicknamed sentimental journeys. Her children and grandchildren provided a light in her life. She would spend any time she could with them and would eagerly attend anything that they were involved in.

During the last years of her life Otis held steadfast at her side while supervising the group of angels who provided for her needs with dignity, respect and a great deal of love.

A funeral service for Mary will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Trinity Circle, Oak Bluffs with the Rev. Richard Rego officiating. Interment will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs.

Donations in Mary’s name can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2580, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.