Margaret Rosenberger

Margaret Adaline Rosenberger, of Gainesville, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at the North Florida Retirement Village. She was 94. Miss Rosenberger was born on October 30, 1921 in Micanopy, Florida to loving parents, Eugene D., and LiIlian Rosenberger and was a lifelong resident of the area as well as a well-known educator, area historian, author and composer. She was a graduate of P. K. Yonge Laboratory School; Stetson University in Deland where she majored in music Education and received with honors her B. A. E. degree and a Master’s degree from the University of Florida. She also studied at the University of Heidelberg, Germany where she traveled in Europe and the Middle East.

Prior to her career in education, during World War II, she was employed in Civil Service at Camp Blanding near Starke, Florida.

Her educational career included teaching at J. J. Finley, and the U. S. Army Dependents’ Schools in Heidelberg, Germany; teacher-principal at Micanopy Junior High School; general supervisor and Elementary school supervisor of Alachua County Schools; principal of both Littlewood Elementary and Prairie View Elementary Schools.

Miss Rosenberger was responsible for helping to organize and bring the United Way to Alachua County. In addition to starting the yearly County Spelling Bees, she also laid the ground work for creating a district media center; she was instrumental in making both guide books and handbooks, “Reasonable Expectations,” for parents and teachers with children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade and in starting kindergartens. Further, she planned and promoted “Education Beyond the Classroom” at Camp Crystal Lake, including science workshops. Margaret also started and coordinated district programs in music, science fairs and teacher training workshops.  Miss Rosenberger was one of the pioneers of the Alachua County Safety Patrol programs, making and chaperoning the first two trips with the students to Washington, D. C. She was instrumental in recommending and piloting the first bicycling lanes in Alachua County around Littlewood School area. She also was a candidate for the Florida Legislature in 1974.

As a founder and chairman of the Board of Directors during the planning, construction and opening of the North Florida Retirement Village, Miss Rosenberger served as a volunteer in different capacities from 1978 to the present.  She wrote the narrative programs, coordinated and served as a long time accompanist of The Village Chorus, the chapel services and the Sunday evening Vesper services.

She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Micanopy where she taught Sunday school and played the piano and was active on many committees.

In addition to an Emeritus Membership on the Board of Directors of the North Florida Retirement Village, Miss Rosenberger was also active in Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a member of Alachua County Retired Educators, and Altrusa International Club of Gainesville. Her memberships continue in ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and until December 2014, the Order of the Eastern Star No. 140.

Honors and recognitions include: Who’s Who of American Women, Personalities of the South, The Royal Blue Book, Leaders of the English Speaking World; Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in the World; and Who’s Who in American Education.  Her professional work and support have earned her two Little Red School House Awards at Littlewood and Prairie View Elementary Schools in Gainesville, Florida.

She was honored with:

“Boss of the Year” for the American Business Women’s association in 1973.
The Alachua County and Bradford County Women of Distinction Award, by Santa Fe Community College, March 2005.
The University of Florida, P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School, Class of 1939 Distinguished Alumna Award, May 25, 2006.
Director Emeritus of North Florida Retirement Village, February 28, 2007.

Miss Rosenberger loved children and diligently worked to improve their learning experiences. She worked tirelessly developing new curriculum even well into her retirement years.

Survivors include nieces Karen R. (John) Jones of Jefferson City, Missouri; Joanne (Jody) Elaine R. (Neal) Robinson of Hendersonville, Tennessee; Carol R. (Trevor) Elmquist of Ft. Myers, Florida; Jean R. (Rick) Ginn, of St. Augustine, Florida and nephew Richard Alan (Jan) Rosenberger of Falls Church, Virginia. Cousins include Kathleen Ramsey (Larry) Eubanks; James Perry ‘Chip’ (Linda) Ramsey, III, and Lisa Ramsey (Drue) Hamilton.

Funeral services are to be held Monday, September 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Micanopy Baptist Church. Interment will take place the following day on Tuesday September 6 at Micanopy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to:

The North Central Florida Baptist Association, for the Rosenberger Scholarship Fund, 2630 N. W. 39th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32605.
The Village at Gainesville Foundation, Please designate “Helping Hands Fund”,   8000 N. W. 27th Blvd., Gainesville, Florida, 32606.