Rosalie (Shapiro) Zetoff

Rosalie Shapiro Zetoff, 79 of West Hartford passed away Monday, March 15th, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. She was born June of 1941 in Hartford, CT. Daughter of Sadie Yush Shapiro-Goldberg and Harry Shapiro. She lost her father at the young age of five and grew up in a household surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins in addition to her mother and sister. In her teens she developed a passion for art which she pursued throughout her lifetime. Beginning in high school, she illustrated the 1959 Weaver High School yearbook and was awarded a scholarship by the Wadsworth Atheneum. Rosalie later attended Bay Path College in Longmeadow, MA and Hartford Secretarial School securing a position in the office of Dr. Sam Pinkes. Determined to express her creativity, in 1970 she was the founder of the Wintonbury Art League of Bloomfield and later served as a Chairperson aiding in the development of The Greater Hartford Arts Festival held on Constitution Plaza for nearly a decade. She lent her time to a variety of community efforts including the Connecticut Public TV Auction and Canton Artists Guild. Her love of decorating led her to create a business within a business when she approached G. Fox and Company department store with the idea of opening an art gallery inside their flagship location. This became known as “The Gallery” and showcased the work of many talented Connecticut artists exhibiting a variety of mediums. Rosalie later went on to serve as the Creative Art Consultant for BKM Total Office of East Hartford, helping major corporations bring original artwork into their workplaces. Rosalie became well known for her own artwork creations, mainly collage, which were exhibited in a variety of galleries and museums throughout Connecticut and the surrounding region including the Wadsworth Atheneum and New Britain Museum of American Art, earning her numerous awards and honors. She had served on the board of the University of Hartford – Hartford Art School, Greater Hartford Jewish Federation and was Publicity Director for Connecticut Women Artists. Additionally, she was an active member of Connecticut Watercolor Society, West Hartford Art League and the Connecticut Artists Guild. Rosalie loved fashion, antiquing and traveling to new places with her husband and friends. She often enjoyed the beaches of New England and Florida with her family. Her gregarious personality drew people to her and she was known for her wonderful laugh, sense of humor and willingness to help others. A decades long member of Emanuel Synagogue; where she married Richard in 1962. Rosalie was both brave and independent with a strong will. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years Richard Zetoff. Sons Marc Zetoff and his wife Eileen, and David Zetoff and his wife Karen. Her five grandchildren Jacob, Carly, Laine, Olivia and Jeremy Zetoff, all of West Hartford. Her supportive sister, Elinor Cohen, of Riverdale, NY. Caring sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joyce and Jerome Rosenstein of West Hartford and all her wonderful nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by her family, close circle of girlfriends and fondly remembered by her neighbors too as a wonderful hostess who lovingly prepared delicious soups, apple pies and kugels. The family wishes to thank her phenomenal caregiver, Josie Hatfield, who attended to Rosalie’s needs for almost four years.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 20 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT 06032 or Hartford Art School, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 20 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT 06032 or Hartford Art School, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117.