VINALHAVEN — Priscilla Chilles Rosen (Hulla), 97, passed away quietly on October 12, 2022, surrounded by her beloved family. She had lived a long, good life. Kind and gentle, without a harsh word for anyone – she was also a survivor. A classy lady who looked her best whenever she went out – she did not like anyone making a fuss over her.

Priscilla was born on May 15, 1925, and grew up in a family of three boys during the Depression. She attended Vinalhaven schools, graduating in 1943. Early on, she became a caregiver, nursing sick family members and others. Except for a stint in a Whitinsville, Massachusetts munitions factory and as a telephone switchboard operator during WW2, she lived and worked on Vinalhaven. After the war, she married Navy veteran Fabe Rosen, a brother of one of her closest friends, and had two sons, Doug and Steve. 

Priscilla treasured her grandchildren Yvonne (Beba), Emma, and Sam, and she was happy to be part of their lives. She was a second mother to Beba and spent many hours with Emma and Sam, who lived just a short walk away and often came by after school. She loved to do crafts with her granddaughter Emma. 

During her long life, Priscilla was very active in the Vinalhaven community. She was a founding member of the Vinalhaven Planning Board and a member of the American Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary. She spent many years volunteering on the board of the Vinalhaven Historical Society. She was passionate about genealogy, researching different branches of her family tree back to the earliest years of Vinalhaven settlement, as well as her Chilles family, who had immigrated from Scotland just two generations before to work in the quarries. She was knowledgeable about antiques and collected depression glass and local memorabilia. Her ability to determine prices for older items made her a welcome volunteer at estate sales or tag sale fundraisers for local organizations.

She was a member of several women’s clubs on the island, which provided entertainment for her and her many friends, who gathered weekly for tea: to knit or play cards. 

Hulla held many jobs on Vinalhaven over the years. She was a switchboard operator for the Vinalhaven telephone company until it was automated in the early 60s. She cooked and sewed for several summer families on Vinalhaven – but especially for the Elisofons, whose daughters Elin and Jill remained close with her until her death.

In the 70s, she ran Rosen’s Spa, a small convenience store on the first floor of the Star of Hope building, and in the 80s, she cooked and was an integral part of The Haven Restaurant “family” until her retirement. After retirement, she enjoyed being a member of the Red Hats, who met regularly for lunch and traveled by bus through New England, and she also loved gathering with friends to play the card game “May I?” 

In her final years, Priscilla made her home at the Ivan Calderwood Homestead of Vinalhaven Eldercare. She was beloved by staff and residents; family and friends visited her regularly and took her out for breakfast or lunch at her favorite places. 

Priscilla was predeceased by her husband, Fabe Rosen; son Doug; brothers John and Harold Chilles; sister-in-law Astrid Philbrook; and brother-in-law Kaye Rosen.

She is survived by her younger brother, Paul Chilles and wife Lauretta; son Steve Rosen and wife Alice Bissell; granddaughter Yvonne (Beba) Rosen; granddaughter Emma Rosen and partner Trevor Rhodes and grandson Sam Rosen and partner Molly Miller.

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and great-grand-nieces and nephews. 

A memorial gathering for friends and family will be held at a later date. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Vinalhaven Historical Society, PO Box 339, Vinalhaven, ME, 04863, or Vinalhaven Eldercare Services, PO Box 624, Vinalhaven, ME 04863.

Direct Cremation Services, in Belfast, assisted the family.