Rosemary Melanese (Barreras), age 92, of San Diego, California passed away on Sunday January 13, 2019. Rosemary was born August 27, 1926 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Joseph and Lola Barreras she was the oldest of four children.
Rosemary had a passion for family gatherings, maintaining her rose garden, walking and dancing. She was an avid shopper and just had an overall joy for life. Her family moved to San Diego during her elementary school years and she grew up in the University Heights area during the Great Depression and World War II. She cut her teeth at her first job working at Rohr, making airplane parts for the military. Subsequent to that, she worked at Woolworth downtown and finished her career at Mercy Hospital as a doctors’ assistant. In her free-time she enjoyed helping her brother with the family business – “Dave’s Display World”.
Rosemary found so much joy spending time with her siblings, children and grandchildren; she had a loving and enormous heart and always placed her family first.
Rosemary is survived by her daughter Diane Wheelock (Jack), her son Peter (Kathleen) her five grandchildren Christopher and Steven Wheelock and Michael, Marissa & Matthew Melanese and great-grandson Benjamin Wheelock. She is preceded in death by her two brothers Joseph and David and her sister Vera.
A funeral service for Rosemary will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Chapel at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego, CA 92102.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.merkleymitchell.com for the Melanese family.
