Rose K Cruz

Our beautiful Rose passed peacefully at home on August 28, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Born Rosita Rose Eliscupides Kwan on March 11, 1928, to Cheng Seuong Antonino Kwan and Maria Asuncion Eliscupides in Manila, Philippines.

In 1948, she met her forever Darling, Brigido Espiritu Cruz, when she was 19. After a year of courtship, they went to see their favorite movie, Gone With The Wind, and decided to elope after watching the movie. A year later, they welcomed their first son, Sito, in 1949. They went on to have 5 more children throughout their marriage. It was during this time she found her passion to cut and style hair.

In 1968, they decided to move their family out of the Philippines. They took their two youngest children, Mar and Anthony first, and would return for their remaining children in 1970. They lived in Saudi Arabia for a year. Within this year, she was excited and honored to cut and style the hair of one of the Saudi Arabian princesses.

In 1969, Brig was transferred to the United States, and they were given the choice to move their family to New York, Hawaii, or Utah. Since they heard Utah was a good place to raise a family, Salt Lake City became their new home. It was here that Rose honed her skills as a cosmetologist. She studied cosmetology at the Roberts Steur School of Cosmetology where she eventually became an instructor.

When they bought their first home across from Liberty Park, Brig built her a small beauty salon on their front porch so Rose could practice her trade. With her gift of gab, Rose turned her customers into lifelong friends. She worked long hours when she started her business, Mademoiselle Beauty Salon and would be gone from 7am – 10pm.

Rose loved her family and would help them in any way that she could. She taught her children to love and be kind to each other. Anyone Rose met, she would share stories of her family to complete strangers, which made it very awkward if she was talking about you in front of that stranger.

She loved get-togethers and would frequently have family and friends over to share the wonderful food that she prepared. She taught herself how to play piano where she learned how to play her favorite Filipino songs. She loved to dance and would continue to dance even when she was in her wheelchair. In the last few years of her life, she looked forward to bowling days with her children. There were times that she would have the highest score!

Our beloved Rose is now dancing to Abba’s “Dancing Queen” with her Darling, Brig. She is preceded in death by daughters-in-law Dolly Mabunga Cruz and Brenda Hernandez Cruz. She is survived by her son Sito Cruz, son Johnny (Carol) Cruz, daughter Emma Villamayor, daughter Wilda (Jonathan) Yee, son Mar Cruz, son Anthony (Wendy) Cruz, 14 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

Funeral services in Salt Lake City will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Valley View Memorial Park 4335 W. 4100 S. The viewing will be from 10am-12pm, memorial service 12-1pm, followed by a reception from 1-2pm. Las Vegas graveside will be at 10am on September 10, 2024 at Palm Mortuary 7600 S Eastern Avenue.