Rosa Lee Eickhoff

Pennington. Rosa Lee Eickhoff passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2014. She was the daughter of the late Frankie Elmer and Gladys B Smith. Born in Butler, Missouri, she spent her first sixteen years on a farm near Adrian, Missouri, a time she recalled fondly throughout her life. She played basketball and was the catcher for her high school softball team. Rosa Lee loved young people and earned bachelors and masters degrees in education. During her lifetime, she taught kindergarten and worked with college students. In 1979, she moved to Pennington, NJ after her husband was appointed president of Trenton State College. She served as the institution's first-lady for nineteen years, where her warmth as a hostess, passion for entertaining and excellent cooking were enjoyed by countless students and members of the College community. She was highly visible on the campus, attending concerts, athletic events and other student-centered activities. In addition, she worked full time for 25 years enthusiastically advising students at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, NJ. Rosa Lee was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church of Ewing, NJ, a member of P.E.O. AM Chapter, and a world traveler. Above all, she loved her family and in reflecting on them always said she was "richly blessed." Sister of the late C.V. "Virgil" Smith and Jack Smith, she is survived by Harold W. Eickhoff , her beloved husband of 59 years; daughter Sharon Italiano and her husband Joseph of Elkton, MD; daughter Janet Eickhoff and her friends Tracy Radler, Suzanne and Josie Merrill of Ewing, NJ. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Angelica Italiano, Parrie Italiano, and Dominique Italiano. Mrs. Eickhoff will be deeply missed. Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 7,from 10:00 to 11"00 a.m at the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 1125 Parkside Ave,. Ewing with the Rev. Fred Gerlack, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Harbourton Cemetery, 1 516 Harbourton Rocktown Road, Hopewell Township.. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 6, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m at the Blackwell Memorial Home, 21 North Main St., Pennington.. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends consider a contribution to the Rosa Lee Eickhoff Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of The College of New Jersey Foundation, 2000 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ 08628.

Service:

10:00 a.m., Friday, November 7, 2014

Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church
1125 Parkside Ave.
Ewing, NJ



Visitation:

Thursday, November 6 , 2014
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Blackwell Memorial Home
2 1 North Main St.
Pennington, NJ 08534