Rosa Lee Sznaikart

Rosa Lee Sznaikart, age 79, died June 17, 2026. Born August 26, 1946, in Vallejo, California, Rosa grew up in San Francisco and attended Balboa High School. In the mid-1970s, the family relocated to Virginia, where Rosa made a lasting home and a life marked by steady devotion and care. Rosa was a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

For 27 years, Rosa worked in retail at Walmart/Sam’s Club as a photo lab manager, serving others with patient professionalism, honest diligence, and a gentle attentiveness that never sought recognition. After a long and faithful career, Rosa retired in 2021. Her generosity was most often expressed in everyday ways—through thoughtful giving, loyal presence, and a kind-hearted habit of making others feel seen.

Rosa’s faith was a guiding light throughout life. Her family grew up attending The First Church of the Nazarene in Virginia Beach, and Rosa valued conversations about faith and the Lord with sincerity and quiet wisdom. In both word and action, she offered compassion and selflessness, giving encouragement with a steadiness that was deeply cherished by those who knew her.

Rosa also brought warmth and joy wherever she went. She was friendly and unafraid to strike up conversation with anyone, anywhere—an ease with people that reflected her gentle spirit and generous heart. Though this tribute is offered in a formal and respectful spirit, it is fitting to remember that Rosa could be hilarious, quick with a joke, and always ready to share laughter.

An adventurous love of life showed through in Rosa’s enjoyment of travel, road trips, and time spent visiting friends and family. She delighted in simple pleasures: shopping, manis and pedis, beloved talk shows and game shows, and the comfort of country music. Her love for animals was tender and true. Rosa mourned the recent loss of her dog, Gizmo, whom she loved dearly; but she enthusiastically made room in her heart for her newest dog Benny. Rosa had even more love to give, she truly enjoyed dog-sitting her grand-dog Millie, with whom she shared a very special bond.

Rosa was preceded in death by her parents, Jennings “Buck” Gatlin and Maria “Mary” Garcia Gelardi; her step-father Robert "Bob" Wilcher; her sibling Michael Gelardi; her sibling Josephine “Joann” Honsa; and Josephine’s husband, Tom.

Rosa is survived by her husband of 28 years, Wladyslaw “Walter” Sznaikart; her children, Robert Hucks, Gina Hamblin, Chuck Hucks and his wife (Ivy), and Lisa Hucks; and her siblings, Edward Gelardi and his wife Nancy, Maryann Stewart and her husband Bobby, Jeanette Wilcher, and Helen Gatlin. Rosa is from a very large Italian family, and she was a grandmother to 11 beautiful grandchildren whom she was so proud of and cherished seeing and spending time with. She was also a great grandmother of 7 adorable great grandchildren.

A Public Visitation and Viewing will take place at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502, on July 13, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502, on July 13, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

Rosa will be remembered as beloved and devoted—faithful in her commitments, thoughtful in her care, and inspirational in the quiet strength of a life lived with compassion, loyalty, and gentle honesty. Her absence is deeply felt, and her memory will remain a cherished blessing.