Anne Townsley Rodgers

Anne Townsley Rodgers, Ph.D, 81, died peacefully on February 13, 2025 in Hendersonville, North Carolina after a series of significant health challenges. Anne was born on April 20, 1943 in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Anne is survived by her niece, Courtney Moyer Woodruff (Nathaniel); brother-in-law, Ron Moyer (Suzie); great niece, Elsie Woodruff; and great nephew Samuel Woodruff from Pelham Massachusetts; as well as great nephews J.R. Zlogar and Cody Zlogar from Belchertown, Massachusetts. She is also survived by cousins Jean Buscherhoff from Parker, Colorado; Chip Taylor (Jan) from Pennsylvania; Steven Taylor from Costa Rica; and Scott Taylor and Beth Taylor Canady (Larry), from North Carolina.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents George Gilling Rodgers and Marjorie Jaqua Rodgers; her sister, Elizabeth Rodgers Moyer; her niece, Kristin Elizabeth Moyer; and her aunt, Elizabeth Taylor.

Anne graduated high school from the Northfield-Mt.Hermon School in Northfield, MA after which she earned her college undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. She continued her studies, earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Anne subsequently completed her Doctorate in Public Health at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

During her career, Anne taught medical technology first at Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and then at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia before retiring to Hendersonville, North Carolina to be close to family. She was the editor of a definitive textbook in her field, “Essentials of Diagnostic Biology.” Anne was a devoted member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, North Carolina, where she served as a lector, an office volunteer, and a member of the Faith Chapter of the Daughters of the King. She made many strong connections with friends in church and community, her caregivers, and her pastor, Father J. Clarkson. Anne will be missed by her family, especially for her yearly New England treks to Pelham, Cape Anne and Cape Cod, Massachusetts and her delicious trifle desserts. She will be missed as well by her cat, Bonnie (a.k.a. Copurrnicus).

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church on Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 pm. The family will hold a private burial service this spring at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Leicester, MA. Many thanks to Calvary Episcopal Church and Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian for their efforts to honor Anne.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her beloved Calvary Episcopal Church, PO Box 187, Fletcher, NC 28732.