Rosalie Grace Zarate

She is survived by her three daughters: Anamaria Aguirre, Gloria Galvan, and Rocky Zarate. Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband, Zacarias Zarate II, and all three of her sons: Miguel Zarate, Zacarias Zarate III, and James Zarate. She joins her boys in heaven.

Rosalie was raised on a farm in National City. Her parents, Bobby and Jimmy Toledo, opened the first sari-sari store in National City, where Rosalie worked as a young woman. In 1956, she graduated from Sweetwater High School and served as President of the SUHI Reunion Committee for many years.

Rosalie was very involved in the community, starting out as a Team Mom for her children’s sports leagues before working her way up to Parks and Recreation, President of the Boys and Girls Club of National City, and National City’s Planning Commission before eventually landing a City Council seat in 1990.

After retirement and the passing of her husband, Rosalie lived with family. She enjoyed many years relaxing at home, playing Yahtzee, attending water aerobics, and spending quality time with her family. She is survived by 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Rosalie will always be remembered for her warmth, compassion, faith, strength, and playfulness.