Rosemary “Rozo” McLaughlin, Democratic Representative from the Windsor-Orange-1 district (Tunbridge, Royalton) has passed away from cancer.
From the press release sent out of the Speaker’s office:
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Rozo considered running for office a duty. “I feel that if there comes a time in your life when you have the ability, and you can possibly share a bit of yourself with the world around you, you should take your turn. It may be just volunteering as a mentor or a chaperone with a school group, or serving on a town board. We all receive the benefits of living in a community, so if we are able, we should give something to it as well.”
Rozo’s most recent work in the Vermont House focused on legislation to connect farms and schools, providing important outlets for farmer’s products and access to nutritious local food for students. She worked across party lines, with legislators and the Douglas administration, with the goal of engaging Vermont youth in becoming lifelong consumers of fresh, nutritious foods.
Representative Ann Seibert of Norwich, said of Rozo, “Who could not like Rozo? She was so open to everyone and everything, honest and truly genuine. Thinking of her reminds me of one of my mother’s old sayings, ‘She was all wool and a yard wide.’”
My own in-person contact with Rozo was limited to an extended walk through part of Randolph with her during the last election season after a campaign event (although we did speak on the phone from time to time). Rozo was wise, quick-witted, and had a real no-nonsense honesty to her. She was also very personable, easy to talk to and immediately likable. While she instantly inspired respect, she did so without seeming intimidating or superior in any way.
Rozo was a very good person who made a real impression on me, and the world truly feels diminished by her passing. I hope her example will inspire others like her to step up and take control of their communities’ destinies by running for public office. This world could use more Rozo McLaughlins.