Eulane Joyce Rose

Eulane Joyce Rose, beloved wife of the late Farris Dean Rose, passed away on 16 September 2023.  Eulane was born in Winchester, Kentucky – the daughter of Rev. Roy and Nettie Dennis.  She married Farris in 1957 and as a military family, they had the opportunity to travel across the United States and many different countries.

Eulane’s love of music manifested at an early age and the stage was set for her lifelong passion. An accomplished pianist, she gladly played at school functions and church as a young girl.  She then began teaching music in the American school system in Fulda, Germany.  She retired from the Hampton, Virginia school system in 1998.  She loved her students and celebrated their accomplishments in their seasonal concerts and competitions.  After retiring, nothing gave her more joy than to talk with her former students.  Many still called and visited up through the end of her life.

She delighted in extended family get togethers, where everyone would gather around the piano and sing.  Her favorite music genre was gospel.  Throughout the years, she accompanied soloists, participated in duos, trios and choirs. She was very proud of being a member of the Genesis Quartet, pianist for the Smithfield Little Theatre, and pianist/choir director for many churches.

She most recently lived in the Collington Life Care Retirement community in Mitchellville, MD.  There she shared her joy of music through the piano – entertaining in the Ivy Lounge, leading large sing-a-longs, accompanying fellow singers, participating in a jazz combo, and her most recent love - the gospel ensemble.  She considered everyone at Collington, both residents and staff, to be part of her extended family.

Many friends and former students have commented on how much she touched their lives.  However, she often said that she thought they all had had a bigger impact on her and would tell stories of their personal courage and triumphs.

Eulane is survived by her brothers Wendell and Gay Dennis, Dienzel and Joy Dennis, Daryl and Joy Dennis; daughter Debbie and Jim; son Doug and Vicki; son Phillip and Anna; grandchildren Matthew, Mary, Rebecca, Will, Connor, and Chandler; and great-grandchildren William, Elisha, and Kaden.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible gifts may be made to The Collington Foundation in memory of Eulane Rose to benefit the John Fofana Scholarship Fund.

Checks payable to “Collington Foundation” with the words “Eulane Rose Memorial - John Fofana Scholarship” in the memo. Please mail to:  

Collington Foundation, 10450 Lottsford Rd, Mitchellville, MD 20721 or donate online at https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/

Or to the Parkinson’s Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA):

https://parkinsonfoundation.org

A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date (TBD) at Collington.