Mrs. Rosemarie D. Gottlieb

Rosemarie D. Gottlieb

Rosemarie D. Gottlieb, the most selfless, strong-willed, admired, and loving mother, wife, and friend born October 4, 1962 passed February 24, 2008 while battling Leukemia. Carrying on her mission of love and the meaning of togetherness and family, she leaves us to join the rest of the angels at the side of our heavenly Father. She was 45 years old.

Originally born in the Philippines, she proudly became a United States citizen and resided in Virginia Beach, VA. Admirably, she pushed herself to learn English and work towards obtaining a GED through the Adult Learning Center in Virginia Beach. For almost 10 years she worked as a cashier, then a floor sales associate, at Burlington Coat Factory on Virginia Beach Blvd. All of her co-workers, her friends, marveled her work ethics and adored her sweet disposition. She was called “Maganda Bulak-lak” (pretty flower).

Rosemarie was predeceased by her Father, Pedro Duterte. She is survived by her loving husband, Joseph S. Gottlieb along with her three devoted children: Jennifer M. Beardin, Philip A. Beardin, and Rebecca J. Davis; Mother, Juanita L. Duterte and siblings Fernandez Duterte, Rosita D. Aldo, Lydia D. Pactol, Shirlena Duterte, Flabiano Duterte, Estela Duterte, Vicenti Duterte of the Philippines and Cristina Duterte of San Diego along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A survivor of breast cancer in 2006, she prepared herself to “start over” to live her life to the fullest (thanking God for her strength and continued life). Unfortunately, the battle wasn’t over. Diagnosed with Myelodysplasia Syndrome in June 2007, she fought through several aggressive chemotherapy treatments in hopes to be in remission for a bone marrow transplant. The MDS suddenly progressed into full-blown Leukemia. With no hope to win the battle over the Leukemia, she refused further treatment with conviction. Her exact words were, “No Hope, No Chemo, No Deal.” She was truly grateful for the treatment and efforts of Dr. Burger and his colleagues at Virginia Oncology & Associates and loved her nurses (Team 4-East) at Sentara’s Virginia Beach General for their constant care and compassion.

She took her final breath in the presence of her loved ones- closing her eyes and drifting into a peaceful sleep. After almost 3 years of fighting and suffering, she is finally free of all pain, free of all worries, and free to watch over her family and friends from above as the loving Mother, Wife and Friend she was to all who knew her.

(Isang dakilang anak, at kapated. Maalalahanin mapag mahal at higit sa lahat mapag bigay at matulungin sa lahat. Rosemarie ay isang taong hinding hindi mo makakalimutan. Mamahalin namin siya hanggang sakabilang buhay. Mama at mga kapated.)