Community Mourns Knollwood Teacher's Death

A Parsippany second-grade teacher died suddenly last Tuesday and will be missed greatly by the district, school board members at the last board of education meeting said.

Knollwood teacher Eileen Rosen died at the age of 58 and dedicated 25 years to the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District; “She was respected by her peers and loved by her students,” according to an obituary from Hellman Memorial Chapels, of Spring Valley N.Y.

“It’s really a loss. When I heard about it yesterday, I was absolutely devastated,” said Board member Frank Calabria. “Educators and teachers, we know when we have a great one among us, and when we lose one, we certainly feel the pain.”

Rosen was born to Irving and Ruth Krawitz in the Bronx, was married to Hank for 35 years and was the loving mother of Jesse, said the obituary, adding that Rosen was the “adored daughter of Ruth, dear sister of Stephen (Elsie) and many nieces and nephews.”

“I had the pleasure of knowing Eileen and certain her mom and dad. Her mom was the superintendent of schools in Parsippany-Troy Hills and served us with distinction. Her daughter (Rosen), the same,” said Calabria. “She was an incredible teacher, very caring and understanding. She came before the board not too long ago to indicate how much she cared about youngsters and teaching.”

“She would place books in to the bags of her youngsters if she knew they were interested in a particular area (or subject),” added Calabria. “That youngster, when they went home, they would find a book about it. No one knew it, just the idea that Eileen would do something like that for her youngsters … We are saddened but we know that they are there looking down on us and seeing that we’re doing the right thing as well.”

Her funeral services was Friday at Beth Am Temple in Pearl River, NY and her interment was at Beth-El Cemetery in Paramus. Memorial contributions in Eileen's memory may be made to the Cantor's Music Fund at Beth Am Temple.

Those who signed her obituary guestbook had only fond memories of Rosen.

“Mrs Rosen was the first teacher I worked with when I was still in college. I then continued working with her while student teaching and my first 2 years of teaching,” Nick Napolitano of Parsippany. “She had a tremendous influence on my teaching career. There are strategies I still use today years later that are just as effective now as they were when she first showed me. If it wasn’t for her I would not be the person or teacher I am today. I am truly honored to have been one of the many people to have worked with such a wonderful person. She touched the lives of many students and colleagues with her generosity and kindness. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and the entire Knollwood School community.”

“Having worked with Eileen via Montclair State University , she always welcomed me into her class,” said Evelyn Sanders of Denville. “I am so heart broken at having lost a friend as well as a caring and wonderful teacher who cared so much about each and every student. May your memories of Eileen's personality help your heavy hearts.”

“Mrs. Rosen was a very special lady whom I always admired from the moment I met her,” said Susan Garbow, of Lake Hiawatha. “You could feel her warmth and wisdom in every word she said. I know she was loved by her students and I know she will be terribly missed. My condolences go out to all those whose lives she touched.”

So sorry to Mrs. Rosen's family, friends, co-workers and students. Truly one of the best,” said the Sparkes family from Lake Hiawatha.

“A caring and loving person who was my dear friend. I love you and miss you,” said Elaine Dolsky of Parsippany.

“Eileen was such an amazing person. She would always go above and beyond for all her students. She was there for anyone who needed help. She was such a wonderful friend to me and I will never, ever forget her,” said Alexandra Partington of Mt. Tabor.

If you’d like to share a kind word about Eileen Rosen, please do so in the comments section below.