Rosette Ellman, July 9, 2019.

We mourn the passing of Rosette Ellman, z’l, who died in St. Louis on July 9, 2019. Rosette was born Rosette Elkouby in Casablanca, Morocco, on April 2, 1924. She had five siblings – four who predeceased her: Albert, Messouda, Pearla, and Shalom, and one who survives her, Sylvain. Rosette is also survived by her niece, Marie Harris, her nephew, Albert Elkouby, her great-nephew, Maurice Harris, and many other relatives and friends.

Rosette’s 95-year life was movie-worthy. She was a tri-lingual businesswoman, an independent spirit, and a stunning beauty. During World War II, she joined the French underground and helped resist the Nazis. After coming to America, she spent several years living in Los Angeles. Later, she married Alfred F. Ellman, of University City. 

Al and Rosette moved into a U City apartment that Rosette was happy to call home for the rest of her life. She opened and ran three beauty shops, and some of her stylists went on to open their own shops. Rosette and Al also bought and managed several small apartment buildings. 

Al and Rosette traveled globally, but especially loved to go fishing in the Ozarks. They weren’t able to have biological children, but when Rosette’s niece, Marie, moved in with them, she became like a daughter. Marie and her future husband, Bill Harris, and their son, Maurice, were very close to them as well. 

After Al’s death in 1980, Rosette went through a period of extended grief. Ultimately, she met Ilion “Lou” Miller, and they became a devoted couple. Lou and Rosette worked together on many projects involving Rosette’s apartments. They loved to travel and to eat at their favorite Chinese restaurant, LuLu’s. 

Rosette began to experience symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s in her last years. Lou devoted himself to helping her in countless ways, until his passing in 2017. Rosette received loving care from amazing caregivers from Seniors Home Care, and briefly moved to Park Provence Memory Care center. She died peacefully on July 9, and Rabbi Neal Rose of Congregation B’nai Amoona officiated at her burial. 

Rosette loved animals, especially dogs, and one of her favorite charities was the Humane Society of Missouri. She also supported many other charitable causes, including Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and Na’amat USA. She was a force to be reckoned with – warmhearted, funny, mischievous and opinionated. She will be dearly missed.