Rosetta Tekosky

Obituary

The rosebud that would blossom and bloom becoming Mother Rosetta Smith Tekosky was divinely planted in the family garden of Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Frances Smith in Alachua County’s Archer, Florida. The family was comprised of her four brothers and one sister; all deceased. In the family, because of her knack of “getting things done”, she was known as “Little Momma/ Mudda”. The fertile ground of family, loving parents and affectionate siblings, nurtured young Rose; providing the groundwork that would sustain, and succor her for a lifetime.

Ideals and principles were evident in her early education as a student at Archer Elementary School, and later as a student attending Fesseden Academy, a prestigious private high school. Due to her superior academic excellence she gradated high school at the age of sweet sixteen. At the age of seventeen she became a college student at Florida Normal and Industrial Institute of St. Augustine. This is a Baptist affiliated school, started by and African American woman; and the sister school to Bethune Cookman. Upon graduation from Florida Memorial College, Rose taught elementary school for one year in the Alachua a County Public School District. She then relocated to Harlem, NY and worked as a Social Worker- NYC Dept of Social Services.

Rose met and married Morris G. Tekosky, and the family of four beautiful daughters, relocated to Amityville; where she was resided for 65 years, giving a lifetime of valuable service to her community. Rose and her husband, the late Deacon Morris Tekosky, tool in countless children who they raised along with their own children

In 1962, Rose became a member of Holy Trinity Baptist Church- Amityville, joining under Christian experience as a faithful active member from Florida’s St Joseph Missionary Baptist Church. She has been a dedicated HTBC member for 57 years. Affectionately known as “Tootsky”, she was a pioneer and champion member of the Holy Trinity Baptist and served tirelessly as Mother, Deaconess, Senior Usher Board President, Junior Usher Board Supervisor, Trustee, College Scholarship organizer, BTU member, Sunday School Teacher, Sunbeam Choir Mother; just a few. In accordance to scriptural exhortation and personal belief she was given of her “ time, talent and treasure” to many ministries; most notably the ministry of the Usher Board. She serves with distinction as The Eastern’s  Suffolk County Ushers Vice President, Minnie Anderson “72” Club Officer, Empire State  Ushers Devotion Chairperson. She has been elevated to Senior Usher Emeritus by HTBC’s Usher Ministry. Her work in God’s vineyard has been acknowledged many times over with honors from the National Baptist Convention US, Inc., astern Baptist Association, Empire Baotust Convention and Holy Trinity Baptist Church Ushers.

Rose’s community activism is legendary. Rose was the first Trip Coordinator for the Town of Babylon’s North Amityville Senior Center’s Travelers club. She has been an A.A.R.P. (American Association of Retired Persons) lobbyist. She is the CEO and Founder of the Deborah Tekosky and Morris G. Tekosky Foundation Inc., a not-for –profit scholarship and benevolence corporation. She is also the major benefactor of the Copiague High School’s Girl Volleyball Scholarship Award. This has been given for the past 25 years to a Copiague HS female senior entering college.

Her involvement in the Copiague School District PTA and other school activities was acknowledge when she was honored in 2005 by the Copiague Boosters for her support for women in sports.

Rose’s Copiague School District association began as a Scudder Avenue Elementary School class Mother and PTA member. Her commitment to the Copiague Public Schools extended far beyond and above her daughter’s and grandson’s student years.

Rose’s love of her community is evidenced by the many honors she was received. The late Maxine Postal, County Legislator, presented Rose with Outstanding Community Service award in 1996. In the years to follow she has been honored for her impact as a community volunteer and pioneer of civil rights by County Legislator Steve Bellone, Congressman Steve Isreal and the NY State Assembly. Rose was recognized by Veterans as a “Donor of the Year” 2005, 2006 and 2007. She also received recognition from Easter Seals and feed the Children as a major donor 2004,2005 and 2007. The town of Babylon honored Rose in April 2012 for valuable service rendered and named her “North Amityville Senior Citizen of the Year.”

Mother Rosetta Tekosky’s personal philosophy is epitomized by these words: Keep Your THOUGHTS Positive, Because Your THOUGHTS Become Your WORDS. Keep Your Words positive, Because Your Words become Your ACTIONS. Keep Your Actions Positive, Because Your Actions Become Your HABITS. Keep Your Habits Positive , Because Your Habits Become Your VALUES. Keep Your Values Positive, Because Your Values Become Your DESTINY!         

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