Rosalind Kay (Roz) Bard Born January 21, 1947 in Manhattan an at Jewish Memorial Hospital, New York City.
Roz grew up in the Bronx, attending P.S. 70, Wade Junior High #117, and William Howard TaO High School. She graduated from City College of New York in 1967, English Major and Journalism minor.
Roz taught elementary school in South Bronx for five years before moving to Boulder to attend Grad school, where she received her MA in Counseling. She also has an MA in English Literature and a Psy.D in Counseling.
Roz spent most of her professional career working for the Counseling Center in Boulder. In addition to a full client load, Roz mentored Graduate School students while they attended Naropa’s Counseling program.
Later, Roz received her Psy.D from the Southern California School for Professional Studies at Irvine, and entered private practice, where she continued to work almost to the end, completing her goal to never retire. During Covid, she kept her two client offices open, but eventually worked exclusively from home via video teleconferences.
Roz was a frequent volunteer with I Have a Dream, Intercambio (teaching English), and at KUVO radio. She was a published poet and a member of the Boulder Women’s Writer’s Project.
Roz loved to travel and before she arrived in Boulder visited France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Amsterdam, France, England, Scotland, Mexico, Denmark, Italy, Montreal, and Quebec. Later, while living in Colorado, she visited Hawaii, Brazil, and Vancouver.
Roz played with a djembe drum group for seven years. Roz was involved with theatre most of her adult life. She met her husband back-stage at the Nomad Theatre in Boulder, and with him co-founded Actor’s Ensemble, Director’s Theatre and Dark Night Theatre. In 2010, she became a member of VIVA Theatre (The Society for Creative Aging) where she served as Vice-President and acted and directed for them. Her favorite role for VIVA was Emma Bugtown in Dude, it’s Boulder. Throughout her seventies, Roz studied playwriting.
Roz died peacefully at home in hospice care. Her husband and her friend Joan Podolak assisted her, fulfilling her desire to use Colorado’s Medical Aid in Dying program, and ended life on her own terms.
Roz was preceded in death by her parents, Etta Kramer Bard (1907 – 2002) and Harry Bard (1910 – 1996), and her sister Frances Ellen (Fran) Bard (1950 – 2001). Roz is survived by her husband, James Maxwell Mills (1949 – ), and their two dear cats, Smokey and Patches.
Roz was a member of Beth Ami – Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. She had elected to have a natural burial without a coffin and will instead be buried in a shroud. Her burial will be at the Lyons Cemetery on Wednesday, July 12 at 11:00 a.m.
Her final thoughts: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intent on of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chardonnay in one hand, bonbons in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn-out and screaming Woo Hoo! What a ride!”
Saying a final farewell to my dear cousin who I grew up with. I recall many happy times as children. We were 10 first cousins on the Bard side. There 4 left. I knew you felt it was time to go. I will miss our conversations and shared memories. Rest in peace.
Edie Ann
Roz was a thoughtful and experienced counselor who provided insights that helped me on my life’s journey. I appreciate her depth of knowledge and ability to calmly sort through challenging situations. What a wonderful woman! She helped me when I needed help. Blessings to you, Roz, and your family.
Roz was my therapist in recent years, at a very difficult time for me due to a shocking family DNA revelation, as well as supporting me through a very stressful work situation. She offered so much wisdom & calm, thoughtful advice, along with excellent practical techniques.
Then, as a former actress myself, she introduced me to VIVA. That has been a wonderful new community for me; however, I so very much regret we didn’t have the opportunity to work on a show together.
Our mutual friends were many, through Naropa University where I have worked for years, & VIVA. As a New Yorker I always appreciated her gentle but ironic humor, sage perspectives, reminiscences & life experiences.
Rest in peace & beauty, Roz.
You are & will be much missed…
Roz is a role model for those facing the end of life and choosing dignity, courage and self-reliance. I admire the support she provided for
clients, the power of her creative expression and her wit. I mourn the loss of our continuing friendship.
“Roz, my sister-in-law, was a very special person. She helped so many people throughout the years with her phone therapy.
She helped me both through many phone chats and texts last year. She didn’t want to talk about her cancer, but insisted on talking to me about my health problems.
I grew to love her very much and am greatly saddened because I am unable to be at her funeral to celebrate her incredible life.”
Roz helped me as a grief counselor to move forward after the death of my dear husband.
In these past several years I was able to learn so much from her wisdom. I unpacked my loss, dealt with a lot of childhood trauma, Covid complications, and loss from the Marshall Fire.
Roz will forever remain in my heart and soul for she knew me better than most. Her encouraging words will be with me as I move on without her. I will miss her so much.
I met Roz thru the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance. She was a valued part of our weekly Niki’s Circle meetings. Roz and I emailed and shared thoughts and books. Our time was too short and so very special. I appreciated her authenticity and openness. We miss her presence each week. Much love Roz!
I got to know Roz as a cancer buddy and am saddened by her passing. I take great solace in knowing she lived a full, beautiful life. Sending comfort to her family.
Roz will always be an important person to me in my life after helping me come to terms with the difficulties of my childhood. She was so smart and wise and wonderful. I am better for knowing her.
Roz was a “gift” to Boulder, especially in community theatre where I got to appreciate her experience, temperment and
great joy on and off the stage. Another loss will be her RED car with the simple license plate: ROZ. Everyone in VIVA will
have Roz in our hearts as long we are staging more plays !
Roz was my therapist for nearly a decade, and she was instrumental in helping me process my own traumas and grief. She was an amazing cheerleader for my own creative endeavors and her kindness and insightful advice have been invaluable in my healing journey. When I was suddenly jobless in 2020 and could barely afford food, much less therapy, she stopped charging me until I got back on my feet and provided services out of the goodness of her heart. I am better for having known Roz, and I wish her eternal peace.
I just learned of her passing recently and was sad to hear of it.She was my therapist many years ago and was amazing.She had an endless supply of approaches and ideas to help me.I was really struggling financially as well and she allowed me to pay very little,so that we could continue our work.She was generous,kind,and very helpful.I recommended her to many people.It sounds like she left this life with wisdom and grace which does not surprise me.My deep condolences to her family and friends.