Obituary

Marla Rogers, obituary

Fri, 10/17/2014 - 9:15am

OWLS HEAD — Marla M. Rogers, 74, died Oct. 15, 2014, at Knox Center for Long Term Care following several months of declining health.

Born Sept. 9, 1940, at Great Point Light House on Nantucket Island, Mass., she was the youngest of seven children born to lighthouse keeper Archford V. Haskins and his wife, Bertha. At a young age she moved with her family to Owls Head Light, where her father was assigned as lightkeeper. They resided there until her father's retirement in 1953. The family lived briefly in Union, before moving to Rockville. Marla graduated from Rockport High School in 1958. The Class of '58 has remained very close, connected and supportive of one another throughout the years.

On Aug. 1, 1959, she married LeRoy Rogers under the apple trees at his parent's home in Owls Head. Shortly after their marriage, her husband enlisted in the U.S. Army and they lived in various locations throughout the world, returning to Maine in 1966. Roy and Marla purchased their current house in 1977 in Owls Head, where they have since resided.

As well as devoting herself as a homemaker and mother, Marla worked at various jobs over the years, with her final employment being office manager at Knowlton Moving & Storage Company in Rockland.

Marla of course had a love of lighthouses. She volunteered as a docent at the Owls Head Lighthouse and the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland. One of her most rewarding accomplishments was sharing her experiences of growing up as the "Keeper’s Daughter" with numerous groups throughout the Midcoast.

Gaining the love for games from her parents, Marla was a fierce competitor. She loved playing Pinochle and board games with her children and grandchildren. She loved music, especially Elvis Presley. She wore many a dance partner out. She also loved wildlife, and feeding her birds and squirrels in the back yard.

Marla was predeceased by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, LeRoy of Owls Head; four sons and their wives, David D. and Beth Rogers of Cushing, Kenneth B. and Marilyn Rogers of Minot, Michael R. and Helen Rogers of Owls Head, and Robert O. and Carol Rogers of Topsham; 11 grandchildren, Bethany, Brittany, Cameron, Catherine, Crystal, David, Lisa, Mary, Paul, Robert and Sara; and nine great-grandchildren; as well as several beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Marla's life will be held Monday, Oct. 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Owls Head Community Building, 224 Ash Point Drive in Owls Head.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Rockland Harbor Lights Foundation or the Maine Lighthouse Museum can be made in Marla's honor.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.