Long-time resident of Princeton and Greensboro, Vermont, Rosanna Webster Jaffin died on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at home in Princeton. She was 98.
Rosanna was born on September 19, 1925 in Columbus, Ohio, to Chauncey Wilson Webster and Eleanor Litschauer Webster. When she was small, her family moved to Loda, Illinois, where she grew up with her four siblings. After graduating Phi Beta Kapa and first in her class at 19 from the University of Illinois in 1946, Rosanna headed to New York City ultimately becoming the administrative assistant to the Sunday editor of the New York Times. On one fateful day, when her date fell ill and couldn’t escort her to a tea dance, he asked a Princeton classmate, Charlie Jaffin, to fill in. Charlie’s famous words were, “Okay, but I’ll only commit to 7 PM.” He committed a lot longer than that, as Charlie and Rosanna were married for 60 years until his death in 2011.
In 1952 Rosanna was given the opportunity to work for physicist Robert Oppenheimer at the Institute for Advanced Study, which brought the young couple to Princeton. Rosanna spent the rest of her life in Princeton and summered in her beloved Greensboro, Vermont.
Rosanna raised her five children in Princeton, and took a leadership role
in many community organizations, including Princeton Hospital (trustee) The Garden Club of Princeton (President), McCosh Infirmary of Princeton University, The Institute for Advanced Study and numerous others. She was a member of Nassau Presbyterian Church for 70 years.
A wonderful gardener, pianist, hostess and mother, Rosanna was greatly admired for her warmth and kindness.
She is survived by her sister, Eleanor Winsor, and her children: David
Jaffin (spouse Elizabeth Allen), Jonathan Jaffin (spouse Dianna Purvis), Rhoda Jaffin Murphy, Lora Jaffin Peters (spouse Donald Peters), Katherine Jaffin Gibson (spouse Andrew Gibson); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as her beloved aide Gloria Williams. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles L. Jaffin and grandson David A. Jaffin.
A memorial service will be held May, 17 at 11 AM at Nassau Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow at The Nassau Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Greensboro Nursing Home of Greensboro, Vermont.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
