Obituary of Rosa Marie Torres-Perez

Rose Marie Torres-Perez, 55, of Sugarland, Texas passed away on July 24, 2010. She was born in Bridgeton, NJ on November 4, 1954; the 6th of 9 children born to the late Josefina (Perez-Rodriguez) and Norasco-Torres-Mateo of Vineland and of Oracovis, Puerto Rico. Rosie graduated from Vineland Senior High School in 1973 having distinguished herself by sharing her personal time and skills working with elementary school youngsters and sharing her leadership and organizational skills with other members of the Vineland High School future Teachers of America Teachers' Aides Program. She also served as a member of VHS's Color Guard. Rosie went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Douglass College, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She graduated with honors in 1978 with a major in Spanish and with minors in Education and Puerto Rican studies. She was certified to teach in grades K-12 by the State of New Jersey. In 1984 Rosie earned a Masters Degree in Labor Studies at Rutgers University's Labor Education Center in New Brunswick, NJ. Early in her career Rosie worked as a teacher in New Brunswick, NJ. She was appointed Vice-President of the Board of Education in New Brunswick, NJ, serving with distinction for many years. In 1984 Rosie moved to Austin, TX where she was employed as a Field Representative by the Texas Alliance for Human Needs. In 1985 Rosie went on to serve as Legislative Aide to Texas State Senator, Carlos F. Truan at the State Capitol. Rosie was proud to call then Governor of Texas, the late Ann Richards, her friend. Rosie and her late husband Eduardo Diaz-Burgos, moved to VA in 1992. They both were employed by an organization they both learned to consider family, Communications Workers of America (CWA) in Washington, D.C. Rosie represented CWA as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill; writing and promoting legislation on behalf of union workers was her forte. Rosie also worked tirelessly opposing legislation detrimental to union workers and their families. She was an active member of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. and of many organizations dedicated to improving conditions for Hispanics/Latinos and others politically, socially and economically with a focus on education, housing, civil rights and human rights. In 2000, Rosie and her then 2 years old daughter, Victoria Marie, lost Eduardo, at 41 years of age to a heart attack while he was in Scotland on union business. In 2002 Rosie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following a period of remission, the disease metastasized to her bones. In 2009 following semi-successful treatment at the Georgetown University, it was decided that Rosie and Victoria would sell their beloved home in Alexandria, VA and relocate to the Houston, TX area near her late husband's family. With great hope for a cure and with her typical optimism and courage Rosie sought treatment at the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Medical Center, renowned for cancer treatment success. Despite her efforts and those of dear friends, family and medical staff, Rosie lost her valiant battle against beast cancer on July 25, 2010. She passed away in her sleep while at home with her, round-the-clock caregivers, two of her sisters, Micky and Josie together with her beloved daughter, Victoria; favorite young niece, Micky's, nine years old daughter, Lauren and her beloved white standard male poodle, 8 years old Snowy Bianco. Rosa Marie is survived by her minor daughter, Victoria Marie, who is currently residing in Texas with her maternal aunt Migdalia ''Micky' Torres-Thompson (Edwin) of Orlando, FL and TX and her cousin Lauren Diana Thompson. Rosie is also survived by her godfather, Andy Banks of Md, her godmother, Denise Gray of VA; her parents-in-law Salvador and Eulalia (Burgos) Diaz of Puerto Rico; three sisters-in-law residing in Texas and by her other sisters Reyes N. Torres-Herrera and Attorney Zaida J. ''Josie'' Torres of Cleveland, Ohio, Attorney Lani Y. Torres-MacDonald of St. Petersburg, FL and Carmen E. Torres Ragsdale & Ronald of Vineland and her brothers Jose N. "Joe" Torres & Nancy (Veeck) and Pedro Juan "Pete" Torres of Vineland; Aldo P. "Al" Torres & Saadia (Torres) of SanDiego, CA. Rosie will be missed, but remembered with great fondness by her godson Edwin Gerard Thompson, his brother Austin Michael Thompson and a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Europe and many dear friends and neighbors from Alexandria, VA, Austin, TX, Scranton, PA and Washington, D.C. Rosie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Eduardo Diaz-Burgos; their infant daughter, Danika Diaz-Torres in Geneva, Switzerland, while residing there on union business, and her parents Josefina (Perez-Rodriguez) Torres and Norasco Torres-Mateo of Vineland, and their first-born infant daughter, Jenny. Funeral home visitations will be held on Friday, July 30th from 7 pm to 9pm and Saturday, July 31st from 10 am to 11 am with a Funeral Service at 11 am at Rone Funeral Service. Final disposition will be private. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 Donations may be made to the Victoria Marie Diaz-Torres Education Trust Fund administered by Communications Workers of America c/o Trustees, CWA President Larry Cohen and Yvette Herrera, Chair of CWA's Education and Training Department at 501 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 2001-2797, telephone (202)434-1133. To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com