Name: Maria Rosa Vazquez Life Dates: 10/19/1927 - 8/16/2012 City Of Birth: Guayama, Puerto Rico History Went home to be with the Lord August 16, 2012 where she will be reunited with her parents, Gabino and Maria, her husband, Julio, her son, Angel Luis, her grandchildren Lupi and Bertito and her son-in-law Hector. She is survived by her children, Retired City DCD Commissioner Julio (Maria Teresa), Dolores, Carmen (Roland), Miriam, ED.D (Hugo), Aida Luz, José (Mercedes), Rosalí, JD(Yolanda), Juan (Juliana), Noel (Berta), Norberto, MD (Rossana), Rosie (Jonas) and Reinaldo (Priscila), 34 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and a great, great grandson. She leaves behind a legacy of faith in Almighty God, strong family values and persistence in achieving one's dreams. Donations In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Norberto Vazquez, Jr Foundation (www.norbertovazquezjrfoundation.com ). Services Doña Rosa's (as she was known by the community) visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (between Rte 350 Long Pond). Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 22 at St. Michael's Church, 124 Evergreen St. Internment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Additional Information Dona Rosa, as she was known by her friends and the communities of Saint Michael's Church in Rochester, New York and La iglesia San Antonio de Paudua in Guayama, Puerto Rico, ws born on October 19, 1927 in the barrio Caimital Alto at the top of Cerro Tumbado north of Guayama in a rustic farm owned by her father. She ws one of the daughters of Don Gabino Vazquez Colon and Dona Maria Cecilia Valentin Martinez. In 1945, she married Don Julio Vazquez Alicea. They lived at this small mountain community until 1959 when they migrated to Rochester, New York. Dona Rosa and Don Julio conceived and raised thirteen children, eight boys and five girls. At the time of her departure from earth, she had thirty-four grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Dona Rosa was very active in the community of Saint Michael's Church since 1965 when she and Don Julio bought a house on Avenue D, the second Puerto Rican family that bought a house and moved north of Clifford Avenue. Part of their ministry was visiting the sick and the incarcerated. They provided spiritual guidance, prayer and Holy Communion. Dona Rosa was a housewife for a good part of her life, but when the children grew up, she went to work for Marriott Hotel in Henrietta. They sold the house on Avenue D and bought a house in the town of Henrietta. In 1986, she and now ordained Deacon Julio, retired and returned to Guayama. In Guayama, together with her husband, they continued with their ministry in the community of San Antonio de Paudua. On October 20, 1992, Dona Rosa became a widow. El Club Deportivo Los Celebres, Inc., recognized her as la Madre Ejemplar (exemplary mother) del Barrio Olimpo Caimital of Guayama on the 5th of May 1996. Dona Rosa felt the need to return to Rochester, New York in 2005 and live with her children. She wanted to be near them and the grandchildren for the time she had left in this world. After a long illness, on August 16, 2012, Dona Rosa passed away. She left behind a legacy of unwavering faith in Almighty God, strong family values, and persistence in achieving one's dream. Even though she only had a third grade education, she inspired all her children to become professionals (medical doctor, attorney, school administrator, public administrator, social worker, electricians, graphic designer, real estate broker) and leaders in their fields, and the grandchildren are following in those same footsteps. We will always remember her for her faith, dignity, respect, and carino (loving and caring for everyone she knew and touched). We are grateful for her love and are honored to be her children. Mami rest in peace. iTe amamos mucho!