Rosalia Rosie Martinez Trinidad

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Rosalia Martinez Trinidad, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

She was the daughter of Pedro and Flaviana Martinez. Raised in Balayan City, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Rosie was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Rosie was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Rosie was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Rosie also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Rosie was raised with Seven siblings: three brothers and four sisters. Rosie had three brothers, Ramon, Gregorio, Jose, and four sisters, Bienvenida, Angela, Romana, Lydia. Rosie was constantly involved in activities with her family. Rosie and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Growing up, Rosie was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself. Rosie was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, she was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything she did as a child, Rosie was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Rosie took part in a number of activities as a child. She took part in badminton. She was a member of Young Hearts Club in Balayan, Batangas, Philippines. In her spare time she liked reading magazines.

Rosie enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Rosie was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Rosie was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. Rosie enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Science.

Rosie had a good disposition for the challenges of college. She always enjoyed reading, so all of those lengthy required reading assignments seemed to be less of a burden for her. In fact, Rosie seemed to absorb and remember everything she read. Not all things came easily to Rosie, however, and she found success by being a diligent and accurate person who would dig into a project and work through until it reached its completion. She was very thorough and labored long and hard in order to reach her goals. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy in 1958. Her favorite courses were chemistry and pharmacology.

Most folks would say that Rosie was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Rosie was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Rosie best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Rosie kept. While growing up, some of her good friends were Nenette Ermita, Chit Aquitana and cousin Charito Dela Torre, but her best friend is her very own sister, Lydia. Later in life, she became good friends with Aleli Samson Towers and Cecilia Distor.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Rosie. On January 13, 1973 Rosie married Benedicto Reyes Trinidad Jr. at San Agustin Church of Old Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. She was totally committed to Benedicto and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Rosie naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Rosie disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Rosie was a good mother to her children. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because she trusted emotions, Rosie was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Rosie was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Rosie was blessed with two children, two sons, Benedict and Bernard. They were also blessed with one grandchild, Eben Emmanuel.

If you gave Rosie a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Rosie was always on task. Without hesitation, Rosie could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Her primary occupation was Pharmacy. She was employed for more than 30 years by Cook County Hospital. During that time, Rosie excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Rosie was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Rosie had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

Rosie liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Rosie's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Rosie preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were ballroom dancing and watching TV series. Rosie was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

Due to her excellent organizational skills, Rosie was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which she belonged. Rosie could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table, along with a generous helping of common sense. Rosie was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout her later years, Rosie was an active member and Treasurer of the Philippine National Orthopedic Hospital Club of Chicago, Illinois.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Rosie. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. She was a member of Visitation Parish Church for more than 35 years.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Rosie was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Rosie was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Rosie Trinidad was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Rosie. She will be missed.

Rosalia Martinez Trinidad, age 75, beloved wife of Benedicto R. Trinidad, Jr.; devoted mother of Benedict (Eaylah) Trinidad III and Bernard Trinidad; loving grandmother of Eben; cherished sister of Bienvenida, Angela and Lydia; dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday 5-9 pm and Wednesday 3-9 pm at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace (just west of Rt. 83) where funeral services will begin Thursday 8:45 am and proceed to Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York St., Elmhurst for Mass 9:30 am. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery. For information, call the funeral home at 630-941-5860.