Rosalva Alcazar Fuentes

Rosalva Fuentes was born to Graciela Diaz and Jose Luis Alcazar on June 28, 1961 in Mexico City, Mexico, soon after Graciela arrived in the city on the bus. She was the second child, preceded by Laura, her best friend and sister. She was followed by her sisters, Cecilia, Maria de Jesus, and Antonia. She also had two brothers, Jose Luis and Armando. Rosa spent her childhood in La Palma, Michoacan. She spent her days in Lake Chapala with her siblings and friends and in the evenings walking in the plaza. She would spend time visiting, and at times living, with her Uncle Rafael Diaz in Mexico City and her Aunt Elena Barboza in Tuxpan, Jalisco. After years of living in Mexico, her parents Graciela and Jose Luis decided to immigrate to the United States. Brothers from the Apostolic Assembly had spoken to them about Jesus and the power to change their lives. Rosa immigrated to the United States in 1978 at the age of 17 and, amazed by the change in her father, decided to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by Ephrain Ramirez in Pomona Apostolic Church. In 1982, Carlos Fuentes began congregating in Pomona Apostolic Church. There Rosa and Carlos met and after a courtship of 9 months they married September 1, 1984 in Pomona in front of their families and God and ten months later they were blessed with a son, Carlos Jr. With time, they were blessed with another child, a daughter Sarai. In marrying Carlos, Rosa gained another family, the Fuentes family.

Carlos Fuentes Sr. was ordained to the ministry in Rancho Cucamonga Apostolic Church. Rosa was a faithful helper and worker throughout their ministry. She routinely entertained guests at her house, making them coffee and talking into the night. She worked with the women of the church and was an active participant in events. Rosalva also worked to maintain the household after Carlos was permanently injured while roofing. Rosalva worked as a dishwasher and seamstress. She made dash covers and baby blankets. The profession that most suited her and impacted her was that of caregiver. She worked taking children with special needs to fun places. She worked with bed ridden patients, helping them with their physical necessities, praying and singing hymns with them. She worked with people who could not see, helping them clean and cook. She worked with the elderly, keeping them company. She took her daughter to meet many of them and as they impacted her life, Rosa impacted theirs. After many years of service, her body could not handle lifting weight any more. She spent her final years traveling. First with Carlos Fuentes Sr, then with her beloved sisters, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters in law, nieces, and friends. She visited and lived in Ensenada then visited Arizona and Nevada, the Grand Canyon, John Muir Woods, Zion National Park, Cancun, Guanajuato and Hawaii. A great achievement was being able to become a citizen in 2023 after almost 40 years of living in the United States. She loved to go to Senior events at IEHP and loved to go for walks with her grandkids. She loved to learn new recipes and go to the gym. She loved to spend time with her youngest granddaughter, baby Tsuri. We will remember her for her great compassion and kindness. Above all we will remember her for her most cherished achievement, having maintained a loving marriage of 36 years to her husband Carlos. Her legacy is her children and grandchildren, who try to be as kind and compassionate in their lives and work as she was. After almost passing away from Covid in 2021, Rosa lived another 3 years to the fullest and was taken to be with the Lord on September 29th, 2024. Even though she is greatly missed and still needed, we know she is now in the arms of her Savior. She is survived by her children Carlos and Sarai, her faithful Daughter in Law Krystal, Son in Law David and her five grandchildren Jonah, Mical, Zion, Ellie, and Tsuri. Lastly, she is survived by her brothers and sisters, her mother Graciela Alcazar and the many friends whose lives she impacted.