Mary G. Rosa

Mary Gomes Joaquin Rosa, age 88, of Middletown, RI died peacefully on Monday, October 8, 2007, at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI, surrounded by her loving family.She was the wife of the late Christopher Correira Rosa, Jr. who passed away in 1990.She was also predeceased by her parents, Antonio and Adelaide Gomes Joaquin; her daughter Susan Marie Rosa Rydalch; and two sisters, Irene Medeiros and Alyce Gallion.Born in New Bedford, MA on January 7, 1919, Mrs. Rosa lived at 130 Fenner Avenue in Middletown for over 50 years, prior to moving to Forest Farm Assisted Living and later to the Grand Islander Health Care Center. She was a Communicant of Jesus Saviour Church in Newport, and was a member of the Edward King Senior Center, the Middletown Senior Citizens Center and the Red Hat Society. Throughout her life, Mrs. Rosa delighted in her family. She was, first and foremost, a wife and mother. Her three daughters were blessed to have her and her ever-busy ways. She was a doer, cooking delicious suppers, making Halloween costumes and first-day-of-school dresses, helping with homework and instilling solid values and life lessons along the way. In her own quiet way, Mrs. Rosa was an open-hearted hostess welcoming many a friend and so many of her children?s friends to her memorable home-cooked Sunday dinners.She was a creative and meticulous folk artist. Her needlepoints, embroideries, homemade Christmas decorations, and acorn people adorn her daughters? homes. She was a jigsaw and crossword puzzler and was acknowledged by all as a cut-throat Scrabble player. Mrs. Rosa did not like to lose, and seldom did.While her husband Chris was alive, she enjoyed going to dinner dances. She loved to dance, she loved to dress up and she loved to socialize. In her later years, she thrived on visits with and stories of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and never lost her young-girl heart or ability to play.Mrs. Rosa is survived by her daughters Beverly Rosa Williams of Birmingham, Alabama and Christine Alyce Cody of Plymouth, MA, and two very devoted sons-in-law, Bruce Williams and Eric Cody. She also leaves one granddaughter, Ann Marie Cody, of Los Angeles, CA; and four grandsons, Paul, Matthew, and Thomas Williams of Birmingham/Huntsville, AL and their wives, Cindy, Denise, and Carlen; and Ensign Byron Cody, USN of Norfolk, VA and his fiance, Kathleen Jelinek. She was a proud great grandmother to Grace Ann, Mary Meagan, Mary Margaret, Christopher, Hugh and Paschal Williams. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of her 7th great grandchild in the spring of 2008. She is also survived by her brothers Horace Joaquin of New Bedford, MA and James Joaquin of Mattapoisett, MA and her sister Candida Lebert of Great Barrington, MA; three sisters-in-law Doris R. Rosa and Agnes Rosa Coleman of Newport, and Emily Rosa Renfrew of St. Paul, MN; and many nieces and nephews.A Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, October 12, at 9 a.m. at Jesus Saviour Church, followed by burial at St. Columba?s Cemetery, Brown?s Lane Middletown.Calling hours are omitted.Burial will take place in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown?s Lane, Middletown, RI.Donations in her memory may be made to Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.