Rosalia R. De La Rosa

Rosalia R. De La Rosa passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at age 102 years old in Belvidere, IL She was the mother of six children: Jesus Rico Ramos (late Arcelia Razo Chavez), Rosa Maria “Rosemary” Johnson (Kristian), Raquel “Rachel” Carr (Danny), Roberto “Robert” Moreno, Reina Moreno (Irma), the late Eleuterio Moreno Jr. (Minerva Santa). She had 15 grandchildren: the late Laura Elena Rico, Antonio Rico, Jorge Alberto Rico, Jovita Miller (Brian Pappas), Conrad and Douglas Johnson, Laura Osorio, Hector “Tito” Gerena (Anna), Gabriel Gerena, Rosalia “Rossy” Gerena, Gloria “Glory” Moreno, Robert E. “Bobby” Moreno, Alicia Smith, Minerva “Minnie” Hulsart (Denny), Miriam Colon (Richard). And Rosalia was the Great Gmother of 30. Gr-Gr Gmother of 15. She was preceded in death by the late Eleutero Moreno and Joseph “Pepe” De La Rosa and son Eleuterio Jr. and her Ramos siblings Jorge, Bruno (Lupe), Antonio (Jenny), Jovita, Jose Carmen, Arturo (Maria Luisa), Maria Reyna. Cousin the late Enrique “Henry” and Francisca “Pachita” Vasquez. Enrique was as close as a brother for her and her siblings. Rosalia was Aunt to John Sanchez (he helped her in learning English), Delores Sanchez, Alice Ceja, Bruno (Janet) Ramos, Phillip (Sara), Rosalinda Olivares (Albert), the late Tony Jr and Sara Ramos, the late Arthur Ramos, Linda Sienkowski (Tony), and siblings Marco, Arturo Jr, Jorge and Bellartura Ramos. Lupe Ramos was more to Rosalia then a sister-in-law. Lupe was her close and dearest friend. Rosalia Ramos Cendejas was born on January 22, 1923, in Cuero, a city in and the county seat of DeWitt County, Texas. The daughter of Bruno Ramos Villafaña and Maria Placida Cendejas Valdéz from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Rosalia's parents lived in the United States and they traveled and worked as far as Minnesota where her father had picked cranberries and her mother was occuppied as homemaker. They'd return to Texas at the end of harvests. A couple of years later after Rosalia was born the family moved to Chicago because Bruno had a job waiting for him at the Chicago Rail Yards. He was employed as part of a crew working on track repairs. At home her mother Placida tended home and learned from her Italian neighbor how to make apple pie. On the side she would sell apple pies and prepared meals for boarders. Their children were enrolled in Chicago Public School. During the Depression there was the eliminations of many jobs. Bruno was laid off by the rairoad company. In the summer after school was out June of 1931 the family moved to Rancho San Nicolas, Guanajuato, Mexico when Rosalia was eight years old. In Mexico Rosalia and sibling entered school eventually loosing their English. Rosalia went on to a state school to become a teacher. She started as a teacher with the Secretary of Public Education Agency in the state of Guanajuato teaching primary education Grades 1 to 6. She was assigned to teach in rural communities. During her stay at various farming communities she was provided boarding. At times her grandmother Rosalia Valdez Reyna would accompany and live with her. The school classroom was one room with curricular in primary education for grades 1 to 6. She would stay a couple of years, then teachers were transferred to another community. She loved to teach and also included lessons in traditional dances and songs. When daughter Rosemary visited Mexico and stayed with Gma Placida, Rosemary traveled to the city of Iraputo and happened to meet a former student taught by Rosalia. He told her, her mother was the best teacher he ever had. He said when he's family moved from the ranch to Mexico City and in school he was teased as a country bumkin. He said he outshined his classmate by his grades. That her teaching was the best foundation for him. Eventually as young adults Rosalia and her siblings returned to the United States. Rosalia went on to California and her brothers went back to Chicago. From California Rosalia then moved back to Chicago. Living in Chicago, IL Rosalia with Eleuterio Moreno raised five children. She was a working mom and since she could not speak English she had various factory jobs. With her English improved she had one steady factory job at Merkl-Korff Gear Company untill she retired. She leaves behind a long time friendship with her co-worker Lucille Major. As a working mom and during any hardships her brothers Bruno and Antonio and their wives were there to help her as she needed. Eleuterio died 17 Oct 1964. The 8th of December 1967 Rosalia married Joseph "Pepe" De la Rosa. They shared many years together, then on 14 of Feb 1992 "Pepe" died at home in Palos Hills, IL. Pepe was a proud veteran having served as an artillery man in the US Army stationed in Europe in World War II. Rosalia enjoyed planting and caring for her flowers and vegetables. Her hobbies were needlework and sewing... crocheting, embroidery and knitting, mending and making clothes for her young kids. She loved to sing but any suggestion to go on stage was a “no-no-no!”. We were blessed the Lord let us have her for so long. She was truly a treasure we hold in our memories. For any who wish to pay their respects, a visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Matz Mt. Prospect Funeral Chapel, 410 E Rand Rd, Mount Prospect IL, 60056. Additional visitation time will be Thursday, August 28th at Matz Mt. Prospect Funeral Chapel, from 9:00 AM until the funeral service time at 10:00 AM. The Family invites friends to gather at the graveside at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery 1400 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, Illinois 60162. The interment service will begin at Noon. There will be no procession following the hearse for safety precautions. Mt. Carmel Cemetery Grave Nos. 10 &11, Lot No. 13, Block No. 10, Section No. 41, (the location is in the far west area of the cemetery). Arrangements have been entrusted to Matz Mt. Prospect Funeral Chapel 410 E. Rand Rd.,Mt. Prospect, Ilinois 60056. For further information please call 847-394-2336.

Rosalia R. De La Rosa

January 22, 1923 - August 24, 2025