Rose Mary Muench

Rose Mary (Bohjalian) Muench passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025 while surrounded by her family. Rose Mary, Rosie, RM, Butch, Hon, Nannie, Mom, was loved by so many, and will be missed by more.

Rose Mary was married to the love of her life Fred (Freddy My Love) for 38 years until his passing in 2004. They were a team, a couple that could play together and work together, true partners.

Rosie was a mom to Allison, Katharine, and Frederick. She taught her children to stand up for what they believe in, work hard, be creative, and give back. Whether she was giving spectacular birthday parties, being PTA president, creating Halloween costumes, or driving to activities, Rosie was a hands-on, all-in parent. She taught her girls the importance of earning their own money, and taught her son to treat women well. Rose Mary believed in the teachings of Jesus Christ but also attended Torah studies. She was not judgmental, she believed in dialog, listening, and embracing different ideas.

A mother-in-law to Gregory and Jodi, Rosie was the first to drop the "in-law" part. She embraced them as if they were her own and was forever grateful they were part of her family. Rosie was a "second mom" to many of her nieces and nephews who spent endless hours with her while she prepared family meals, being a sympathetic ear, hosting them at Fire Island, or inviting them to stay in her home. She was a source of unconditional love.

Rosie's heart was dedicated to her grandchildren Jacob, Olivia, Piper, Sam, Lionel, and Ella. There was nothing more joyous to her than being with them. No visit was without ba-nannie bread, chocolate chip cookies, and boereg. She let them lick the spoon (raw eggs and all), got on the floor to play, and gave endless hugs. Rosie's energy, cooking skills, gardening genius, creative thinking, and social justice leanings are being carried on in all of them.

Rose Mary was born in 1937 in Yonkers, NY to Haigoohi and Leo. In her fading days, she mentioned her brothers Aram and Andrew, and her cousin Andrew, often. Her love for them was great. Growing up, her childhood home was the gathering spot. Weekends were filled with homemade feasts, fresh pies from the yard's apple trees, music, dancing, and lots of family. Traditions she carried on.

Rosie started kindergarten speaking very little English, the daughter of Armenian genocide survivors, and she was destined to become a true American teenager. Captain of the cheerleading squad, part of the singing group The Honey Bees, President of the Art Club, and dating a football player named Ox, Rosie became known as "The Rose of Roosevelt High School." Staying true to her Armenian roots, Rosie and her family spent summers in the "Armenian Alps" (the Catskills) where she belly danced while her dad played the oud, learned the jitterbug with her brother Aram, swam in streams and skipped rocks with her brother Andrew, learned gin by watching her dad's crew of friends, and had ice cream every single day.

After turning down a full scholarship to art school (nice girls did not go away to school, according to her dad), Rose Mary attended secretarial school and became an executive assistant at an advertising agency. Her boss noticed her talent and included her in many creative meetings with clients (think Mad Men). Once she had children Rosie became a full-time mom. Volunteering galore, she kept busy with her kids but also became "a neighborhood mom" to her kids' friends. She was approachable, stylish, and often ridiculous-the perfect mix. Rosie was a jack of all trades, never shying away from learning something new: she rewired the electricity, fixed the plumbing, mowed the lawn (in a white bikini), and was the queen of "just give it a try, how bad could it be?"

In 1976, our dad opened a restaurant in Times Square. Rosie became the graphic and interior designer, marketing expert, counter help, and head cook at "A Healthy Place to Eat." Serving a Mediterranean menu and frozen yogurt (way before its time), their clientele was Broadway actors and prostitutes. Later Rosie became a teacher's aide and volunteered with children, teaching art and nurturing kids' creative spirits until she was 80. Her students (some from 40 years ago) became her social media buddies, often telling her how her positive vibe changed their lives. Her next chapter was her "Rosie's Posies" watercolor custom note cards that she painted and sold, donating the proceeds to her church in Pleasantville, NY. She never slowed down.

Rose Mary's favorite places on this earth were Douglaston Queens, Fire Island, and Weston, Florida. In each she gave huge parties, played tennis and bridge, gardened, and volunteered. Being welcoming and gracious were Rosie's super powers. The first thing she said when anyone entered her home was, "What can I get you?" From neighbors to the man fixing the dishwasher, nobody ever felt hungry or thirsty in her presence. Hosting huge crowds for holidays, rehearsal dinners for more people than we can recall, fundraising events, birthday parties, Rosie did it with ease and with grace. In her final days she had a lot of conversations with our dad. It seemed very much like party planning: "Hon, we need 400 cups." Rosie was arranging a big get together for her next adventure, and she was expecting a crowd.

Rose Mary was an exceptional cook, always making do with whatever ingredients she had on hand, somehow turning nothing into a gourmet meal. Her pilaf and mashed potatoes were legendary. She gladly shared her secrets: butter and salt-then more butter and salt. For salad dressing: fresh lemon, "good" olive oil, salt, toss, then an extra squeeze of lemon. Her chocolate chip cookies... less flour, more brown sugar, and double the chips. Countless times we'd see a new food trend and say, "Mom did that 30 years ago."

We will be having a memorial and celebration of life for Rose Mary this spring. She loved the season. The blooming flowers, the rebirth: "Look, look at the green! Look at the trees!" In the meantime, if you want to do something for Rosie, feel free to make a donation in her name to World Central Kitchen. Making the world a better place, helping others, and feeding people. That is so very Rosie.

Rose Mary was a role model to many. She was silly, she was creative, she was kind, she will live on in all she interacted with. She is loved. We are grateful.