Rosmarie Trapp, the eldest daughter of Georg von Trapp and Maria Augusta Kutschera, whose musical family inspired the beloved Broadway musical and film, The Sound of Music has died. She was 93.
According to her obituary, Rosmarie passed away peacefully on May 13 “in the presence of loved ones” at a nursing home in Vermont.
She was born on February 8, 1929 in a village on the outskirts of Salzburg, Austria. She grew up with a large family, seven older half-siblings and two younger siblings.
Rosmarie spent the first decade of her life in Austria before her family emigrated to the United States in 1938 in order to escape the German occupation of Austria and pressure to cooperate with the Nazis.
The family settled in Pennsylvania before moving to Stowe, Vermont where they continued to make a name for themselves as the Trapp Family Singers. They eventually opened a lodge in 1950 and called it the Trapp Family Lodge.
The von Trapps’ story was turned into one of Broadway’s most famous musicals in 1959 and inspired the 1965 film, The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp and Christopher Plummer as Baron von Trapp.
Following her time at the family lodge, Rosmarie spent five years in Papua, New Guinea with her sister Maria as a lay missionary and teacher. She also found her way to Israel and volunteered on a Kibbutz.
When she returned to Vermont she was very much involved with her community. Knitting for others, hosting sing-a-longs, and owning multiple thrift stores were just a few ways she kept herself busy.
Just as much as she enjoyed being involved in her community, she loved to support others. She enjoyed sipping von Trapp Helles, a local beer from her brother Johannes’ brewery.
In a statement, which was signed by Johannes, Lynne, Kristina, and Sam von Trapp, the family asked for privacy during their time of mourning.
“Her kindness, generosity, and colorful spirit were legendary, and she had a positive impact on countless lives,” the von Trapps’ statement read in part.
“We believe the best way to recognize Rosmarie is to demonstrate the same selfless kindness and generosity that she exemplified daily.”
Rosmarie is survived by her brother Johannes von Trapp, the last surviving member of the Trapp Family Singers.
What a life she lived! My prayers are with the von Trapp family during this difficult time.
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