Rosita C Cercas Bowman

Rosa Cercas Diez Bowman (Rosita), age 79, began her new life in heaven on March 20, 2013 at 11:00 p.m. with her family by her side at her daughter’s home. A memorial graveside service will be held on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Deltona Memorial Gardens.

Rosita was born in Vitoria, Spain on June 13th, 1933 and was a survivor of the Spanish Civil War. She fled to the Village of Losada in the Cantabrian Mountains with her mother, two brothers, and sister while her father fought for the Republic of Spain against Franco. The family returned to Madrid after the war where they established their home. At a very early age, Rosita and her mother realized her gift as a traditional and Flamenco dancer and she began her love affair with the art of Spanish dance. She became a professional dancer at age 16 and traveled across Europe and Africa entertaining thousands along the way.

At the age of 19, Rosita was on tour in Lisbon, Portugal with her dancing group when she saw 17 American battleships sailing into port for rest and relaxation. She described being in awe at the incredible sight of a large fleet of American ships approaching the seaport. She was excited to know that she would soon be entertaining these American sailors. What she didn’t know is that she would fall in love with one that night named Leonard Bowman, First Class Petty Officer on the USS Missouri. He was a life-long drummer, whose infatuation with Spanish music, rhythm, and dance allowed him to play the conga drums with the house band while Rosita danced on the stage. At the end of the night, Leonard returned to the front stage to watch Rosita dance her final dance. Their eyes met and they both knew it was love at first sight.

Leonard soon had to leave Lisbon and the two continued their love affair through letters and pictures. After the war ended, Leonard returned to Spain to marry Rosita and bring her across the ocean to pursue the American Dream in 1955. He lived a few months with her family who welcomed him with open arms and embraced him as one of their own.

Rosita was a Certified Nursing Assistant for 20 years and was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She lived her life through faith and guidance from God and taught her family many precious lessons. She was a free spirit and remained young at heart and soul from her birth until her death.

She is survived by her brother Angel Cercas and wife Elvira, Sister Conception Torres and husband Carlos, daughter Zelda Laura and husband Kurt, son Leonard Jerome, Nephews Ernesto and Roberto, Neices Yolanda and Pilar, 6 grand-daughters Nanette Laura, Amy Rose and husband Tim, Astrid June, Rose Dawn, Elexis Ann, and Cassandra Leigh, and 9 great-grandchildren Jared Phoenix, Adrienne Paige, Vincent Christopher, Colin Leonard, Anastasia Leia, Chase Andrews, Carter John, Payton Michael, and Emma Lee.

Donations may be sent to:

Lupus Foundation of America at Donate.Lupus.org

Vitas Hospice at VitasCommunityConnection.org