Rosalie R Samuelson

At the end of World War II, Rosalie’s high school sweetheart and future husband returned home after serving as a tail gunner on a B-17. She had met him through her best friend and quickly fell in love. Daniel “Danny” Samuelson, of blessed memory, and Rosalie were married in 1946 in New Orleans and soon came to Austin to begin their life together. Danny partnered with his cousin Hymie Samuelson, of blessed memory, to run Crown Tailors and eventually open Slax Menswear.

Together they raised three children. Rosalie gave each of her children the gift of an artist’s eye. Her pride in their talents is evident throughout her home, where she lovingly displayed their paintings, sculptures, bespoke furnishings, and photographs.

Rosalie was an original. No one who ever walked this planet was quite like her. She was elegant, resourceful, and generous, with a sturdy will and a determined work ethic. Her elegance was apparent in everything she touched or did. She had a keen sense of style, always leaning toward the classic. She excelled in interior design and helped, assisted, or managed countless home makeovers for friends and family. She had a genius for “seeing” a space and visualizing its potential loveliness, always capturing the essence of the people who lived there and reflecting it in the interiors she created. She had a special knack for merging comfort and flair.

Rosalie was a hostess in the truest sense. Everyone who entered her home was welcomed with her own blend of coffee à la Café du Monde, along with an assortment of snacks and sweets.

Lively conversation soon followed, as guests were invited to catch up on family happenings, news of the day, and the lives of the children making their way in the world.

Rosalie loved a party. She was the architect of many family celebrations, including weddings, bat mitzvahs, and birthdays. Visiting relatives and houseguests were always honored with special dinners that gathered the entire family around the table. She served delicious meals and set a table that invited conversation and storytelling. These stories—tales of growing up together, pranks, and capers—were always accompanied by abundant laughter.

Rosalie also participated in the performing arts. During the 1960s, she was instrumental in creating costumes for and acting in Congregation Beth Israel’s musical fundraisers. She designed outfits that captured the fun and frolic of these productions and served on decorating committees for events honoring special people and celebrating life-cycle milestones. She once decorated the ballroom at the Driskill Hotel for a visit from President Lyndon B. Johnson. So taken was he by her aesthetic that he kissed her on the cheek, telling her the decorations were more beautiful than anything he had seen in Washington, D.C.

Rosalie was an avid traveler. She and Danny explored the world together, delighting in the sights, food, and cultures of many countries. For their fiftieth wedding anniversary, they sailed on the QEII to London, spent weeks enjoying the city, and returned home on the Concorde. They sailed the Amazon, cruised the Mediterranean, and explored China and South Korea. Rosalie also visited Australia and the Outback, as well as India and the Middle East. From every journey, she returned with stories, ideas, and treasured objects that enriched her home and those of her family and friends.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Daniel Samuelson, in 2021. She is survived by her three children: Jayne Wright; Kent Samuelson and his wife, Janice; and Scott Samuelson and his wife, Donna. She leaves a legacy of three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Alma Avalos, Andrea Avalos, Maria Rodriguez, and Albina Mondragon, affectionately known as the ‘dream team’, for their devoted care, companionship, and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Beth Israel’s Building Fund, Austin, Texas. Funeral services will be held graveside on January 7, 2026 at 10 AM at Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, located at 14501 N Interstate Hwy 35, Pflugerville, TX. The service will be officiated by Rabbi Brian Leiken.