Rosalind “Roz” Gerst

WESTBROOK – Rosalind (Culter) Gerst of Westbrook, passed away peacefully on Sept.16, 2025, after a long and amazing journey. Born on March 13,1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Roz was the daughter of Bernard and Yetta Cutler. After marrying Joseph Bannon who she met in High School, they bought their first home on Long Island, N.Y., where they had five children. The family moved to Topsfield. Mass., where Roz attended nursing school at North Shore Community College and went on to work in the OB/GYN departments at Hunt and Beverly Hospitals. After the passing of her first husband, Roz had the great fortune to discover love for a second time and married Robert Gerst. They spent many great years in North Carolina together, where they enjoyed traveling, including sailing in the Caribbean.

After the passing of her second husband, Roz spent over 20 years in Cape Elizabeth, where she continued learning and growing. Throughout her years she studied to become a doula, worked with Women Without Partners, attended Senior College, was involved in the local puppet theater and wrote her memoir among many other accomplishments.

Roz was predeceased by her oldest son, Glen Bannon and his wife Susan of Newtown, Pa. She leaves her children, Kevin Bannon of Newburyport, Mass., Eric Bannon and his wife Suzanne of Newburyport, Mass., Nancy Bannon of New Gloucester, and Marion Bannon and her wife Annie of Westbrook. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren whom she cherished. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

We would like to thank Avita of Westbrook, for their excellent care of Roz in the last years of her life. A celebration of life will be held on November 1 from 1-4 p.m., at Saltwater Grille, South Portland.