Rosalie "Rose" Carol Monjar Tappe passed away peacefully at the age of 74 after a long illness on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 in her home surrounded by family. Rose was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the youngest of three children, to William Monjar and Anna Stecher Monjar. She is survived by her son, J. Kurt Tappe, and her daughter, Karyn A. Tappe.

Rose came to love the woods of rural Chester County after relocating east in the mid-60's with her husband, John Tappe, now deceased. After earning her PhD in history at Temple University, Rose taught at Montgomery County Community College from 1969 to 2007 and was admired by the thousands of students who attended her classes.

Even after her retirement, she continued to enrich herself, reading avidly and absorbing all information she encountered. Rose was not someone easily challenged at "Jeopardy!" or Trivial Pursuit., She was jokingly known not to suffer fools gladly. Her ironic sense of humor often came out of the blue and her presence would lighten up any room she was in. She strived to live by the immortal words of Edith Piaf, "Je ne regrette rien."

The family will hold a private "celebration of life" event to honor Rose's memory. Donations to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association in Rose's memory are encouraged.