Emilie Lena Rose Gostanian Monkemeyer died at the age of 101 on April 4, 2011 in Clinton, South Carolina, where she has lived as a member of the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina- Clinton since April 2006.

 Rose was born on March 21, 1910 in Jersey City, NJ, the daughter of Frederick Reinhold and Christina Augusta Stern Stein.  Rose’s parents met in New York City after coming from their native Germany to the United States to live.  Her family moved to the Bronx shortly after her birth and then settled in Staten Island, where Rose grew up and attended public schools. She was the valedictorian of the Tottenville High School graduating class of 1928.

 Rose married her husband, Gostan Gostanian, on March 11, 1935 in New York City. Rose met Gostan while a member of the Tower League at the Broadway Tabernacle, a Congregational Church in Manhattan, NY.  Gus and Rose lived in Staten Island and Long Island before moving to Ithaca in 1942.  It was in Ithaca that Rose and Gus raised their three children, Frederick Kazar, Anne Christine, and Emilie Elizabeth.  Gostan passed away in January 1973.

 Rose and Gus grew a number of fruits and vegetables in their large garden at their home at 1058 Danby Road, Ithaca, all of which ended up as canned, frozen, as jams, and/or on the kitchen table. She liked to cook, sew and knit, too, but her keenest hobbies involved intellectual pursuits. She was a voracious reader and a formidable Scrabble player. Her children, grandchildren and some of her great-grandchildren all tasted the bitter sting of Scrabble defeat at her hands.  Rare triumphs over Grandma Rose were coveted and fleeting – the demand for a rematch and almost certain retribution were always at hand.

 In March 1977, Rose married Herbert Monkemeyer, an Ithaca neighbor.  Rose and Herb enjoyed their time together and traveled to many places in the United States and Europe.  Rose especially loved their time together on their 27 foot sailboat, the “Sea Rose”.  Herb passed away in 1994. 

 Rose also enjoyed the arts, attending many concerts, plays and museum events in and around the Finger Lakes area. She supported the arts on television through her membership to a local PBS station. Rose also had wonderful memories of her long term involvement in the Ithaca branch of the United States Power Squadrons.

 Rose could always be counted on to support her family.  Her three children and their spouses, six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren survive Rose. Her son Frederick K. Gostanian and his wife Sue reside in Connecticut.  Her eldest daughter, Anne Christine Prysmont and husband Albert, live in Broadalbin, NY, and her youngest daughter, Emilie G. Marchant and husband Eston (Bud), live in Clinton, SC.

 Her grandson Jeffrey Claus and his wife Bernadine and their children, Ben, Jeannette, and Natalie live in Round Lake, NY, grandson Greg Claus and his wife Diane Fox live with their daughter Jamie in Plattsburgh, NY, grandson David Gostanian and his wife Grace and their daughters,  Ali and Nikki, live in CT, granddaughter Julie (Claus) Benaquisto and her husband Tony live in Pattersonville, NY with their children Jake and Anna, and granddaughter Danielle Gostanian Quigley and her husband Martin, live in CT with their 3 children, Eva, Samuel, and Eliana.  Other surviving great grandchildren include Dillon, Max, Riley, and Tiger.

 In addition to her parents and two husbands, Rose was predeceased by her younger brother Kenneth Erwin Stein, who died in the Pacific Theater of World War II in 1943 while aboard the Destroyer SS Gwin.

A memorial service was held at Presbyterian Home in Clinton, SC. A memorial service will be held at The First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 10:00 am.  Burial will be in the King Cemetery in the plot next to her first husband, Gostan Gostanian and close to her father and mother.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, 315 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, a church family Rose loved.

The family would like to thank Rose’s caregivers and staff of the Presbyterian Home in Clinton, SC, Hospice of Laurens County, her Presbyterian College student reader, Anna Lee Walden, her new reader, Janelle Yoder, her delightful and always entertaining dining room table friends, and all those who helped to make her comfortable and loved during her last few days.  Our fondest memories will include the loving way that Nancy Darbins, her long time nurse in Healthcare at Presbyterian Home, helped Rose get ready for her recent 101^st birthday party on March 21^st.