Ellen "Rose" Chappelear Houser, 89, of Benedict, MD passed peacefully at her residence September 9, 2011. Born May 21, 1922 in Washington,, D.C., she was one of triplet girls born to Thomas Irving Chappelear and Mae Bessie Stinnett Chappelear.

Rose and her sisters, Mary Virginia and Elizabeth Flavia graduated from Providence Hospital School of Nursing. They all entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as nurses from October 1943 to January 1946. Because they were identical triplets they had the opportunity to meet a number of well known people and always enjoyed surprising their patients with "multiple" visits. After World War II, Rose married Richard Houser, a military officer and pilot. She returned to Providence Hospital as a nurse then went to work for the U.S. Supreme Court as a Records Manager after the birth of her daughter, Rosellen.

A longtime member of St. Francis DeSales Church in Benedict, she was very involved in various activities and committees . She was well known for her baking, particularly cakes and cookies. Family and family gatherings were a joy. Traveling coast to coast with family or traveling abroad created many lifetime memories.

Rose was predeceased by her parents; husband, Richard H. Houser; brothers, Thomas I. Chappelear, Jr. and Francis D. Chappelear; nephew, Larry Chappelear, and great nephew, Justin Hutchinson.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosellen Houser of Prince Frederick, sisters, Mary Virginia Chappelear and Elizabeth Flavia Hoffman. Her granddaughter, Jennifer Gregory, the apple of her eye, and beloved great grandchildren, Kiara and Kayden Gregory also survive, along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends to celebrate Rose's life on Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 3p.m - 7:00p.m. at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Kevin Cusick at St Francis DeSales Church, Benedict, MD on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Active pallbearers are Lance Houser, Irving Chappelear, Thomas Hoffman, Sr., Thomas Hoffman, Jr., Scott Hutchinson, Todd Connick. Honorary pallbearers are Adam Chappelear, Alex Chappelear, Casey Chappelear and Edmond Henderson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Charles County, St. Francis de Sales Church or Benedict Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A.