Rosa Florencia Merchan

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rosa Florencia Merchan, affectionately known to many as "Chochi" or "Rosita." A resident of Orlando, Florida, Rosa went home to be with the Lord on February 19, 2026. She was 78 years old.

Born on May 9, 1947, in the vibrant city of Cuenca, Ecuador, Rosa was a woman of intellect, grace, and profound strength. In her early years in Ecuador, she pursued her education diligently and earned an equivalent bachelor's degree to become a teacher. Her love for learning never ceased, and later in life, she followed a passion for the culinary arts by attending culinary school in Orlando.

While she was an intelligent deep thinker and a woman of many talents, Rosa’s proudest achievement was her role as a mother. Following a divorce, she navigated the challenges of single parenthood with unwavering determination. She was a hard worker who sacrificed immensely to provide for her family, ensuring her children had every opportunity to succeed. Her children remember her not just for what she provided, but for the integrity, humility, and compassion she modeled every day.

Rosa possessed a sweet and soft demeanor that drew people to her. She was funny, kind, and thoughtful, always ready to listen or offer a comforting word. Her spirit was most alive when she was surrounded by the things she loved, particularly music and nature. She loved singing, and her voice was a source of joy for her family. She also found great peace in her garden, tending to her plants with the same gentle care she extended to people.

A woman of deep religious conviction, Rosa was a devout Christian who lived her faith through her actions. She walked with humility and grace, trusting in God’s plan and instilling strong spiritual values in her family.

Rosa leaves behind a loving legacy in her three children: Maria Alejandra Merchan (and Alexander Lepinsky), Carlos Adrian Merchan (and Melissa Kivett), and Ruben Steve Merchan. She was the adored grandmother of six beautiful grandchildren who loved her tremendously: Eva Madison Merchan, Penelope Rose Lepinsky, Alessandra Noelle Lepinsky, Joaquin Elias Merchan, Amelia Isabel Merchan, and Camila Lucia Merchan.

She is also survived by her siblings Noe Salomon Bravo Vivar, Beatriz Bravo Vivar, Lola Alvarez Bravo, and Aida Aries Bravo. She joins in eternal rest her parents, Francisco Honorato Bravo Vivar and Rosa Florencia Vivar Mendez, as well as her siblings Francisco M. Bravo, Hector Astorio Bravo, Gonzalo Roman Bravo Vivar, and Marta Bravo Vivar.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Rosa’s life on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Baldwin Fairchild at Chapel Hill. The service will be officiated by Clint Kandle.

Our mother’s life was a masterclass in devotion; her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will live on through her three children and her grandchildren, written in the lives she helped shape. Born in the beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador, she carried the vibrant spirit of her place of origin with her throughout her life. Just as she tended to her beloved flowers with patience and care, she nurtured her children with that same enduring grace. As Helen Keller once wrote, "What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Though she is no longer here in person, she remains an inseparable part of her children and all who loved her. Her memory will be carried in their hearts forever.

La vida de nuestra madre fue una verdadera lección de devoción; su legado de amor, bondad y fortaleza vivirá a través de sus tres hijos y sus nietos, plasmado en las vidas que ella ayudó a formar. Nacida en la hermosa ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador, llevó consigo el espíritu vibrante de su lugar de origen durante toda su vida. Así como cuidaba de sus amadas flores con paciencia y esmero, nutrió a sus hijos con esa misma gracia perdurable. Como escribió Helen Keller: "Lo que alguna vez hemos disfrutado profundamente nunca lo podemos perder. Todo lo que amamos profundamente se convierte en parte de nosotros." Aunque ya no está físicamente presente, ella sigue siendo una parte inseparable de sus hijos y de todos los que la amaron. Su recuerdo vivirá en sus corazones para siempre.