Rosalie Gotham Force, 89, of Apopka, FL, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Rosalie was born January 6, 1932 on the family farm in Russell, NY to Harold Fred and Bernice Leona (Miller) Gotham. Rosalie graduated from Knox Memorial High School and attended Secretarial School in Syracuse. In 1950 she met her future husband, Carlton Force, while roller skating at Sylvia Lake. They dated for the next three years and were married June 20, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Edwards, NY. She worked as a medical secretary while her late husband, Carlton, completed his masters and doctorate degrees and then she concentrated on raising her four sons. She raised her children in Mt. Pleasant SC and at Sylvia Lake NY. Sylvia Lake always held a special place in Rosalie's heart and she enjoyed 67 summers there with her family.
Although Rosalie and Carlton moved from SC to Apopka in 2011, she remained a member of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. She gave to her children and back to her community, volunteering as a Cub Scout Leader, PTA, Habitat for Humanity, The Hope House, and always enjoyed being a member of the Hobcaw Garden Club. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Gregory & Rhonda of Lexington, SC, Jeffery & Elizabeth of The Villages, FL, Stuart & Elaine of Yalaha, FL and Ralph & Deborah of Apopka, FL; sister, Mayfred Hall; brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard & Kate Gotham, Richard & Jan Gotham and sister-in-law Janet Gotham; 6 grandchildren, David Force (Rachel), Jace (Trinh) Force, Melissa (Stefano) DeAngelis, Jon (Courtney) Force, Kyle Force and Sean Force; Five great-grandchildren, Finn, Hunter, Riley, Brittany and Isabella; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Carlton Force; parents Harold and Bernice; brothers, Harold Jr, Winston (Sonny) and Gilbert; sisters, Madeline Hatch, Helen Henri and Mary Gotham. A private graveside service is being held at Riverside Cemetery, Gouverneur, NY with a celebration of life service being planned this summer. For those wishing, please consider a gift to the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church Hope House, 302 Hibben Street, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. The Hope House provides a Christ-centered, safe, secure, temporary home-away-from-home for family members who have a loved one being treated at an area hospital. On-line condolences may be shared by visiting www.bankspagetheus.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Banks/page-Theus Funerals and Cremations, Wildwood, FL and French Funeral Home, Gouverneur, NY.