Rose Millevolte of Gallery East

Rose Millevolte, an artist who owned and operated Gallery East in East Hampton for 25 years, died in Naples, Fla., on Dec. 20 following what her loved ones described as a “long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.” She was 85.

Ms. Millevolte was a watercolorist whose work was exhibited at galleries throughout the Northeast, including the Salmagundi Club in New York City, the Parrish Art Museum, and the Munson Gallery in Chatham, Mass.

Before embarking on a career as an artist and gallery director, Ms. Millevolte worked for 25 years as a teacher in the Valley Stream School District, where she was a dedicated supporter of the Title IX Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibited gender discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. In 1973, she organized and directed a symposium at Hofstra University on the interpretation and implementation of the law. Some 500 women educators attended.

In East Hampton, she ran Gallery East with her partner of 42 years, Rosemary Terribile, who survives. They lived on Shipyard Lane in Springs and had a winter house in Naples, eventually settling there full time after selling the house and gallery here.

Ms. Millevolte loved golfing and was an active member of the Women’s Golf Association at the South Fork Country Club in Amagansett, where she served on the board of directors.

She was born on Oct. 11, 1930, to Carmen Millevolte and the former Florence DeCabia. She grew up in Hicksville, earning a bachelor’s degree from the State University at Cortland, and a master’s from Adelphi University.

There was no service.

Contributions in her memory have been suggested to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Fla. 34105.