Rosa Rocha

She was married to Joe Rocha on May 8, 1977, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. Rosa received her degree in Fashion from the Sacred Heart Dominican College in 1975. Rosa began her retail career as a personnel manager for Montgomery Wards and later promoted to store manager in Temple, Texas. She ended her professional career as a store manager for Target in 2002. Her first child Daniel was born July 10, 1986, followed by David, born on May 18, 1989.

Her passion was creating a school that would provide continuing education and community for adults and families with Down Syndrome. In 1989 she began volunteering with the Down Syndrome Association of Houston (DSAH), eventually being elected to be the president. She also planned the annual Gathering of Friends as a fundraiser for The DSAH that ran from 1989 to 2014. In 2014 she founded “Friends of Down Syndrome,” a non-profit organization that provides education, therapy, community, and social services for adults with Down Syndrome, including a variety of employment programs. She was instrumental in the establishment of a Down Syndrome Clinic at the Texas Children’s Hospital.

In the time she spared, outside of her charity work, she enjoyed dancing, being with her family, and sitting with her husband in their yard enjoying life.