Rosemary K. Trippe went to her eternal home with the Lord and reunited with her beloved husband on May 5, 2025. Born November 27, 1935, in Ocala, Florida, the second child of John W. Knope and Rose King Knope. Rosemary grew up in the small town with her parents and older brother, John King Knope. She graduated from Ocala High School in 1953 and earned her degree in home economics from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1957.
On July 13, 1957, Rosemary married Samuel M. Trippe, whom she had met at the age of 19. The couple began their life together in Quantico, Virginia, where they welcomed their first child, Patricia. As Sam served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Rosemary returned to Ocala before relocating to Camp Pendleton, California, where their son David was born. In 1961, after leaving military life, they settled in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and expanded their family with daughters Judith, Regina, and Andrea. Aside from a brief chapter abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 1982 to 1987, Minnesota was home for 34 years. After retirement, the couple moved to Easton, Maryland, in 1995.
Rosemary was an accomplished equestrian and a former FFA queen. Adjusting to cold Minnesota winters from the sunshine of Florida was no easy task yet she embraced the challenge with grace. A dancer in her youth, she never lost her love for tap and ballet-often dancing in the kitchen with flair and a sparkling smile. A small woman with a mighty swing, she was both competitive and cheerful on the golf course.
Rosemary devoted her life to her family, raising five children with strength, compassion and decorum. Whether volunteering as a classroom mom, teaching religion classes, or driving her kids to endless activities, she infused their lives with modesty and humility. She saw purpose in volunteering especially at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Easton Hospital and the Children's Hospital Guild.
She formed lasting friendships through her many hobbies and memberships, including the Sts. Peter and Paul Women's Guild, Bayside Quilters, the Hospital Auxiliary Board, the Historical Society, the American Women's Club (DK), the Minnesota Women's and Peninsula Golf Associations, and the women's golf groups at both Talbot Country Club (MD) and Dellwood Hills Golf Club (MN). She was a gifted painter, quilter and loyal friend.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and husband. She is survived by her five children and a growing legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren:
- Patricia Brand (husband Hal); children: Patrick (wife Stephanie, son Miles); Michael (wife Dr. Amanda Castro, children Elena and Cristian); Kevin; and Matthew (wife Allison, son Kamden).
- David Trippe (wife Karla), daughter Madeline.
- Judith Geaslen (husband Donald); their children: Christopher (wife Paige); Nicholas (wife Alexa, daughter Sloane); and Samantha.
- Regina Stout (husband Craig), and son Carson (wife Hanna).
- Andrea Trippe (fiancé Alexander Tobin).
Rosemary's light will continue to shine through the lives of those she loved and nurtured. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on November 21, 2025, at 11am, Rosary at 10:30am at Saints. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Easton MD. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to Talbot County Hospice or the Society of St. Vincent De Paul.
For online condolences, please visit
www.fhnfuneralhome.com.
Published by The Star Democrat on Nov. 6, 2025.