Rosa Maria Longueira (Nee Segura)

Beloved wife of Fernando of 58 years, cherished mother of Nancy (Bill) and Fernando Jr., and adored grandmother of Lauren, Sara and Shayan. She will be deeply missed by all.

Rosa Maria immigrated to Montreal from Spain in 1957 where she and her family lived in an apartment on Saint Laurent, across the corridor from her future in-laws. There she spent her teenage years, became a talented seamstress, and met her soulmate Fernando with whom she went for many long walks around Mount Royal.

“Rosi” was a devoted wife, happily waking up at 2 or 3 a.m. with Fernando as he got ready for his work shift, made him breakfast and saw him off at the door. She frequently packed picnic dinners, ready to go to a park with their children once Fernando arrived home from work.

She found great joy in her children and grandchildren and in all their activities. She spent many long nights sewing her daughter’s dresses and dance costumes. She had a fabulous time at her son’s hockey games and was the team’s biggest fan. She would put out elaborate spreads of food for ravenous kids and teenagers. She even cooked omelettes for a group of teenagers in the middle of the night as they pulled an all-nighter on a school project.

Rosa Maria was young at heart. She adored all the children in the family, happy to get on the floor and play games with them. She treasured her time as a school lunch lady at St. Monica’s and Royal Vale Schools. She told us stories of how she played with the kids in the schoolyard, skipped rope with them, and proudly recounted how parents would tell her that the children ate their lunch with her gentle coaxing.

When she started to lose her eyesight, she faced the situation with the same positive attitude that defined everything she did, and focused on what she could do. She continued to cook under Fernando’s watchful eye and switched from paper books to audio books.

We will remember her easygoing manner, infectious laugh, positive attitude, remarkable ability to remember movie and sports trivia, and devotion to her family.

The family will receive condolences at Centre funeraire Cote-des-Neiges (4525, Chemin de la Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal, QC) on November 24, 2023 from 5-7pm. A funeral service will immediately follow in the chapel at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CNIB Foundation or Make-A-Wish Foundation.