Rosa Evangelista Ferrer

Rosa, also known as Rosing or Rose, was born on October 13, 1925 in Polong Norte, Malasiqui, Pangasinan, Philippines. She was the third of eleven children. Her parents, Zacarias Evangelista and Gabriela Parayno were very devout Catholics who raised their family in Don Pedro, Malasiqui, Pangasinan. It was this upbringing that molded Rosa, and like her parents, she lived her entire life in honor of her Catholic faith.

At a very young age, Rosa left home to live with close relatives or friends, for her elementary and high school education. For elementary, she went to a school 3 miles away at the Malasiqui town proper. For high school, she stayed at a boarding house in Lingayen, 18 miles from her home. Perhaps it was here that she developed her independence and love for adventure. She loved to travel while she could, and at the age of 81, traveled cross-country and back, for 2 weeks, in an 18-wheeler driven by her son-in-law, Chris. Rosa was fiercely independent and lived in her own apartment until age 96. Her late sister Aida who she was very close with, lived next door, just steps away.

In high school Rosa dreamed of becoming a nurse. But due to financial reasons, she went to Philippine Normal School in Manila instead, and graduated on April 21, 1949, and became a school teacher.

On June 12, 1950, Rosa married Antonio E. Ferrer, also from Don Pedro, Malasiqui. Antonio, also known as Toning or Tony, had joined the U.S. Navy in 1946 and took leave to get married. In February 1954, Rosa left the Philippines to join him. After 21 days of traveling aboard the SS President Cleveland, Rosa was reunited with Tony in Long Beach, California.

As a Navy wife, Rosa traveled with Tony to wherever he was stationed. Along the way their family grew. In 1954, their first child, Melendre, was born in Corona, California. Then followed John, Judy and Josephine who were born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Evelyn was born in Coronado, California in 1964. While raising their young family, Rosa found herself alone, often months at a time, while Tony was out on sea duty. But there was a community of Navy wives from the Philippines, with young children like herself. These families kept close ties, had many gatherings, and often found themselves reuniting when stationed elsewhere.

Tony retired from the U.S. Navy in 1966, and in 1967 Rosa & Tony decided to bring their family to the Philippines. They settled in Baguio City where they continued to raise their family of six. In 1969, their youngest daughter, Patricia, also known as Trisha, was born. Tony and Rosa were active at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes parish and participated in several ministries.

In 1982, they returned to the U.S., finally settling down in Mira Mesa, San Diego, California. There Tony and Rosa reconnected with Navy families they knew from the past, including relatives on Tony’s side. Rosa became a parishioner at Good Shepherd Catholic Church and also participated in several ministries. She became the president of the Legion of Mary for several years and developed many close friendships. Rosa spent many of her days attending mass and praying with her friends.

In 2021, after years of living independently, and after years of convincing, Rosa finally agreed to move to Escondido, California to live with her daughter, Trisha, and her family. Rosa lived a happy life surrounded by family and visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On October 19, 2024, Rosa celebrated her 99Th birthday. Many family members and close friends came and she was reunited with many old friends from the Legion of Mary. It was a memorable day for her and for everyone. It was a wonderful celebration of 99 years lived by a woman so loved by many.

On October 24, 2024, Rosa suffered a stroke. She showed promising improvements as the days passed, but on October 29, 2024, she passed away. Her hospital room was filled with family members and other loved ones who were able to say their final goodbyes. They were with her as she took her last breath, and she was enveloped in their love as she left this world. She joins her beloved husband Tony, who passed away on February 8, 1986, and her parents and siblings who all passed before her.

She is survived by her 6 children, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren who will all miss her deeply.

Rosa is survived by her family:

Daughter, Melendre Marie (Ferrer) Santos & son-in-law, Oliver Santos and their family: Jasmine Santos; Celeste (Santos) & Dana Williams and children, Kayla (sons: Robert & Tanner), Anthony, Brady & Lila Jade; Gabriel Santos & Liztrelle Mangompit

Son, John Ferrer and his children, Carlo Ferrer and Eleanor Ferrer

Daughter, Judy (Ferrer) Tolentino & son-in-law, Menandro Tolentino and their family: Jason & Kendyl Tolentino and daughters, Taylor & Peyton; Melissa (Tolentino) & Jason Robert Cepeda and daughters, Brooke Emily & Claire Nicole; Katrina (Tolentino) & Joshua Cameron and daughter, Kate Madison

Daughter, Josephine (Ferrer) Adviento & son-in-law, Don Adviento and their family: Jonathan & Kaitlyn Adviento and sons, Mason & Dawson; David Adviento & Renee Schoening and David's children, Ezra, Jack, Elliott & Violet; and Justin Adviento

Daughter, Evelyn (Ferrer) Liautard & son-in-law, Marc Liautard

Daughter, Patricia (Ferrer) Nyberg & son-in-law, Chris Nyberg, Sr. and their family: Joshua Zamora & Keiyanna Madelar, and son, Jodi; Theresa Ferrer-Zamora & Fiance, Junior Walkenford; CJ & Saskia Nyberg and children, Isla & Kai; Mick Nyberg; Jacob Nyberg; Lacey Nyberg, adopted granddaughter