Rosemary Mizener Colt of Providence and Little Compton RI passed away peacefully at home
with her family by her side on February 11, 2026 after a short illness.
Rosemary Moore Mizener was born at six pm on January 22,1938 at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Because she was reluctant to leave the comfort of the womb, a Caesarean section was
performed, and she came into the world protesting loudly but otherwise healthy and unscarred
from her hasty entrance. She was the daughter of Arthur Moore Mizener of Erie, PA, English
professor, literary critic, and biographer. Her mother, Rosemary Paris Mizener, was born in Kenya
and raised in England, Europe and Hawaii. She became a naturalized American citizen in 1937.
Rosemary's childhood was largely shaped by her father’s research and writing of The Far Side of
Paradise, the first biography of Jazz Age writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Her mother worked alongside
Arthur, transcribing letters and conducting research for the book. So all encompassing was the
writing and publishing of the biography that Rosemary remembers feeling that the book, along
with Fitzgerald himself, was a fourth presence in their household. A love for literature and
reading was ingrained in Rosemary early. Reading was one of her primary enjoyments for the
entirety of her life.
Rosemary graduated from the Emma Willard School in 1954 and attended Vassar College until
leaving to get married. Though she came to regret her early exit from Vassar, she never
regretted marrying the love of her life, Leonard B. Colt, Jr., of Providence RI in 1957. They soon
welcomed three children into their lives.
As a young mother, Rosemary doggedly pursued her education, eventually receiving her BA in
English from URI in 1974 and her Masters and Ph.D. degrees in English Literature from Brown
University in 1984.
Rosemary was a teacher, writer and editor. She was the author of several scholarly articles and
self-published books including As Far As I Can See (2018), a memoir. Besides her work,
Rosemary had many interests including her writing groups, travel, music, particularly opera, art
and tending her beautiful Little Compton garden. She gave of her time and leadership to
organizations including her tenures as President of the board of the Providence Athenæum,
President of the Board of Laurelmead and a founding member of Stay at Home in Little
Compton Inc. She was a loyal member of the Little Compton Garden Club. As a leader, Rosemary
made an impact; she was decisive, persuasive and had the ability to elevate others.
Rosemary leaves behind two of her three children and their families: Ames Borden Colt (Pascale Rihouet), Rosemary Paris Colt (James Corwin), and Maya Rege-Colt, widow of her youngest son Nicholas Rege-Colt. She was proud of and beloved by her 7 grandchildren: Gideon Skerry, Ames Colt Jr, Alexander Colt, Leland Kumar Rege-Colt, Sylvia Skerry, Manali Rege-Colt, and Juliette Colt. She will be much missed by her first cousins; Martha M. Porter of Maine and Andrew McCormick of Holland. She was predeceased by her son in law, Henry W. Skerry Jr., her husband, Leonard, and her son Nicholas.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28th at 11:00 at the Redwood Chapel,
Swanpoint Cemetery, Providence, RI. Reception to follow next door at Laurelmead, 355
Blackstone Blvd. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Laurelmead Employee Education Fund. 355
Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, 02906
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