The Inspiration for Rosie the Riveter Dies at 86 7.26K Brian Moylan 12/30/10 03:00PM Filed to: and now she's dead and now she's dead Obits rosie the riveter Geraldine hoff boyle We can do it Geraldine Hoff Doyle, the woman who was the inspiration of the iconic Rosie the Riveter poster, died in her home state of Michigan from severe arthritis. She was 86, but will keep telling us "We Can Do It" for eternity.