Mrs. Rosalind E. Hihn

Rosalind E. Hihn (nee Edmonds), mother of Susan H. Tifft, predeceased by husband Louis E. Hihn, son Craig E.S. Hihn, and sister Connie Atkins. Also survived by cousins Joan Heid, Connie Guild and Gloria Kircher Services private. When Rosalind Evelyn Edmonds was born in Baltimore on August 6, 1927, it was no surprise that she was a girl. She was the next in line of several generations of girls in her family. She was the first of two girls born to their mother, who was one of three girls, who were born to one of two girls. There were great-aunts, aunts and female cousins. In fact, for nearly one hundred years, the only way a male entered the family was through marriage. While it seems clear that the baby girl was called after her great-grandmother Rosa, her parents claimed she was also named for Shakespeare’s Rosalind. In As You Like It, Rosalind appears as one of Shakespeare’s strongest and most intelligent characters, male or female. She is quick-witted, resilient, and resourceful as well as beautiful. She has outstanding leadership qualities although she’s a bit of a (harmless) schemer. She is a steadfast young woman, remaining faithful to her friends and family. She can find her way through any tricky situation. And so, Rosalind Edmonds grew up to emulate her literary heroine. Ro was smart. She was an honors graduate of Patterson High School. Her excellent academic record, coupled with a solid reference from her father, who was a well-known Baltimore pharmacist, made it possible for her to be admitted to the Johns Hopkins University. She was the sole woman matriculating that year. She counted red-eyed fruit flies along with the men and was graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Pre-med major. While a Hopkins student, Ro met a young GI returning from the Pacific Theater. It wasn’t long before she became Mrs. “Ike” Louis Hihn. Craig Edmund Steuart joined the family in 1947, the first boy born in the family for almost a century. Susan Edmonds was born in 1953. Ro did not become a doctor, but she used her intelligence, resourcefulness, leadership, and faithfulness as head of a lively Towson household. The children were brainy, curious and challenging, and yet they always found a match in their mother. Ro also led the way for her extended family. She treasured her younger sister and cousins. With her winning smile and kind ways, she collected friends all along the way and wove them into the fabric of her family. More than anything, Ro loved a good party, and over the years, she hosted many a birthday, anniversary, holiday, wedding/baby shower and graduation celebration. Her annual summer party in Ocean City is legendary! In 1975, when Susan went off to Cornell University, Ro went off to work. She became “Roz.” Roz went from shopping at Hutzler’s Towson for her teenage daughter’s clothes to selling coats and plus-sized women’s dresses there. Retail sales presented many tricky situations and personalities, and she was able to dominate them all. When Hutzler’s closed in 1990, she moved across the mall parking lot to Hecht’s, then Macy’s. She sold women’s sportswear until she was 91 years old, when an unfortunate auto accident on her way to work one Sunday took her out of action. Rosalind passed away on April 15, 2022 in Gilchrist Towson hospice center. She had suffered the debilitating effects of congestive heart failure for more than a year. Rosalind spent the last four years of her life at the home of her daughter, Susan Hihn Tifft, who survives her. Her beloved son Craig died in 1995; Ike passed at the end of 2016; and her sister Connie Atkins died in 2021. Ned Atkins, Christopher Atkins and “Buddy” Hihn are her nephews. Barbara Hihn Miller is her niece. Kim J. Biggs is her dear goddaughter. Her cherished cousins include Joan Heid, Connie May Guild, and Gloria Kircher. Rosalind Hihn will be buried close to Craig in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. The burial will be private. Memorial contributions can please be made to Gilchrist, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 or online at gilchristcares.org/donation. Gilchrist gave exceptional care and support that allowed Rosalind to live her last weeks at home and her final days in peace and without pain.

Mrs. Rosalind E. Hihn

August 6, 1927 - April 15, 2022