Thinking of you today and always! ❤️
Gone way too soon 

I am sorry it’s taken me awhile to write Rosalia I just can’t believe that you are gone. I didn’t know what to say however wanted to write something but it just didn’t feel real as I never had a chance to see you before you passed because of this COVID-19. 

I remember the last time I saw you you were in good spirits you looked well, we had a lovely visit and a good lunch. I had no idea things were progressing faster than I guess I thought or hoped for you. 
I just wanted to say that you were always a great friend to me and always there to listen, to help, and  be there when I needed you. It was an honour being your friend and I will miss you deeply.

I’m glad you’re not suffering anymore and at peace now.
Love you! Xo 😘 
Susan


I will never forget how loving and beautiful she was from the first day I met her. Her spirit was so free and kind, one I will never forget. She was always so welcoming with her warm heart and loving spirit. A Beautiful Queen. May she rest in heaven. xoxo 

My Dear Rosalia, 
I met you 40 years ago at the Marpole Neighborhood Drop-in for Moms and Tots. There you were, with your beautiful smile and braided pigtails pinned up to frame your face. You were full of life and vitality, and a young Mom to Jason and Veronica. I was instantly hooked on your fun-loving personality and we quickly became friends. We became part of a circle of friends that we aptly titled, “The Latin Group”. It wasn’t hard for one to figure out that I, myself was not Latin, but being married to a Uruguayan may have helped me to qualify.
You became one of my closest friends as we shared our feelings of joy and frustration over parenthood. Life was not easy raising kids with no extended family around to help us. Instead, we had to rely on our friends for support and encouragement. You, “Miss Mexico”, played such an important role in bringing us together. Throughout the years, you always remembered everyone’s birthday and continued to bring us together by throwing parties filled with enthusiasm, dancing, and fun games to boot! I’m going to miss your tacos, taquitos, homemade salsa, and my very favourite: chilaquiles. Some of my fondest memories of us together were shared on the many houseboat trips we took with our families on Shuswap Lake. We laughed and swam in the day, and toasted marshmallows by the fire at night. You tried relentlessly to teach me your salsa moves on the dance floor, but to no avail. I’m still not able to shake those hips!
I know it was not easy for you during these last few years, but you never gave up the good fight. You remained strong throughout the pain and suffering, and continued to show love and care for others while in the face of adversity. Your parting words to me were, “Enjoy Your Life”. In your honour, I promise to cherish each day, and to take nothing for granted. A friendship like ours is truly one of life’s greatest treasures, and I believe that one is not gone as long as they remain in our hearts.
Your friend 

Letter to Rosalía in memoriam (Part 2)

Rosy… and now, we are at a loss… We couldn’t even be by your side in those final hours given the global state of emergency dictating isolation and confinement. We also could not attend your funeral service to support your family members and process your departure from this world.

Yet, what I can assure you is that you will continue to live in our memory forever. All we need to do is close our eyes and imagine your beaming smile and hear your crystalline laughter. Then remember your readiness to show up, listen, and give roses of kindness, compassion, friendship and love to those close to you.

Rosy, you will forever be missed, remembered and celebrated. Mi amiga del alma, you left a legacy of love!  What more could anyone wish for?

Your friend forever,


Violeta 


Letter to my friend Rosalía, in memoriam (Part 1)

Rosy, your parents named you after one of the most exquisite and fragrant flowers anyone can give or receive. You came in a wide variety of colours that symbolize what matters most in life -  Purity of Heart, Sincere Friendship and True Love. There was no mistake choosing that name for you Rosy, one of the most wonderful human beings I had the blessing to count as my friend.

I recall you telling me many years ago to start writing. Somehow, you believed I had a gift that I ignored, but you always reminded me. What I never anticipated is that I would be writing you a farewell letter, one you would never read because God called you home too soon.  

Everyone whom you shared your life with is mourning your loss. I am short of words to give you the praise you deserve for all that you stood for during your life journey. I could start with a long list – playful, intelligent, honest, loyal, tactful, discrete, hard-working, respectful, funny and reliable.  

Rosy, these adjectives barely convey who you were deep in your soul – immensely generous, kind, compassionate and loving. 

You were instrumental in keeping together our Spanish Familia, the group where many of us shared countless celebrations of life that nourished us with a taste of culture, identity, connection and true friendship. 

(cont.)


Rosalia,
With all my heart to Rosalia,
I miss you forever, miss your smile, your kindness, 
you were always the  fun one in the group of friends,
you were always an inspiration to all of us.
Rosalia rest in peace.

Gloria y Francisco

Rosalia was a wonderful woman. We met while sharing the birth of her first grandchild, Stella ,and my 3rd. She glowed speaking of her first born granddaughter. She was able to go on and witness the birth of 3 more beautiful grandchildren that would light up her life. She was taken too soon, but her radiant smile and love will live on in all the life’s she touched.

REST MY BEAUTIFUL ANGEL, REST
When you were diagnosed with cancer two and a half years ago, you told us you would fight and fight you did. Until the very last minute you could. You fought hard, you fought bravely and with dignity. Your strength in the face of suffering and pain was truly a feat. It’s time to rest now.

FLY MY BEAUTIFUL ANGEL, FLY
You are now unshackled by this illness and can fly like you lived - with love, boundless energy, beauty and grace.

Thank you for teaching me all of the best lessons in life and for being my best friend. You were the best mom a little girl (and adult woman) could have ever asked for. Always my advocate, always my rock and always unconditional in the love for your family. 

We will miss you so much, but your memory will live on in all of those whose lives you touched.

I will remember you as you were the night this picture was taken - laughing, dancing, genuinely enjoying yourself and doing it all with that special Rosalia flair.

Rest In Peace Mom. I love you. Te quiero mucho.

*** These are trying times for us all, let’s also remember that there are thousands of our seniors in long term care facilities and hospices that are now not allowed visitors as their lives come to an end. It is no surprise to us that we had said goodbye for the last time as the hospice was closing it’s doors to visitors yesterday, that my mom let go. There are thousands that will not have the benefit of timing that we had and my heart aches for these individuals as well as their families and friends. To the healthcare workers on the front lines - thank you for shouldering this and thank you for holding the hands and being by the bedside of all our loved ones in this scary time - stay home and stay healthy everyone❤️

OBITUARIO

Rosalia Osipa

11 agosto, 1957 – 22 marzo, 2020

First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

Muestre su apoyo

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