of Marshall, AR

January 25, 1919 - August 20, 2016

Rosemarie (Rose) Ramirez, 97 years old, passed away on August 20, 2016 at Highland Court Rehabilitation Facility in Marshall, Arkansas. She was born on January 25, 1919 in San Lorenzo (a small rural town), Puerto Rico. Her family moved to New York City when she was nine (9) years old after surviving hurricane San Felipe II, one of the strongest hurricanes in Puerto Rico's history which devastated the island. She considered her journey to the continental United States one of her greatest adventures and blessings.

Rose was baptized on May 14, 1930 in the First Spanish Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York and on November 6, 1932, Rose was received by profession of faith into the fellowship of the Plymouth Church (Congregational) Brooklyn, New York (founded in 1847 1st by pastor Henry Word Beecher, brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of ''Uncle Tom's Cabin''). During her early adult life, Rose worked as a hat sales clerk and elevator operator. Rose married Pedro (Peter) Ramirez on September 7, 1939. On May 6, 1940, Rose enrolled in the Chicago School of Nursing and while she excelled in her studies, her nursing pursuits were cut short due to the birth of her first born child. For a few years in the 1940's she and her husband owned two women's clothing stores, one was located in New York's 5th Avenue high fashion district. Rose contributed to the war effort as a civil defense air raid warden during World War II. Much of Rose's life was spent as a stay at home mom. In 1956 she returned to Puerto Rico with her husband and three children, where her husband became a large poultry farmer and she raised exquisite orchids and volunteered as a teacher's aide for teaching English. She moved to the United States Virgin Islands in 1993 after her husband passed away and she continued to serve as a teacher's aide and was second runner up for the Ms. Senior U.S. Virgin Islands Beauty Pageant. Also while there she was the oldest participant at age 76 of 295 to finish the 2-mile race for the Victim Advocate Program Fundraiser and winner of her age group. Rose moved to Puerto Rico in 1996 and then to Kansas in 1998 after Hurricane Marilyn devastated the U.S Virgin Islands. While in Kansas, Rose continued to volunteer as a teacher's aide. Rose was an avid reader, fluent in both English and Spanish. Rose moved to Arkansas in 2008 and to Highland Court Rehabilitation Facility in 2010, where she was best known for her caustic sense of humor. Rose was an artist, she enjoyed painting in oil and acrylics and sketching. Her outstanding art work won state awards in the ''Caring through Art ¬-Contest'' sponsored by the Arkansas Health Care Foundation (AHCF) for each year she participated (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Her winning artwork was exhibited at the Arkansas State Capital in Little Rock and appeared in the AHCF yearly calendar 2011-2014.

Rose is survived by her sons, Wayne (MaryAnn) Ramirez of Omaha, Arkansas, Richard ''Ricky'' Ramirez of Worcester, Massachusetts and her daughter Linda (Clyde) Oesterhaus of Dwight, Kansas. Nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Her brothers, Julio Rosario, Luis Rosario and Ricky Rosario. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Regalado and Maria Rosario, husband Pedro ''Peter'' Ramirez, brothers Ernie Ramirez, Ernesto Rosario and Herminio Rosario. Sisters, Jerry Raiche, Julia Marie Magnone, and Nieves Redfern.

A Memorial Service will be scheduled in Puerto Rico at a future date. In memory of Rose, please send a donation to the Highland Court Rehabilitation Facility for Resident's Activities, P.O. Box 541, Marshall, Arkansas, 72650. Rose's family extends their gratitude the Highland Court for providing Rose with continuous professional and loving care during her stay at their facility. Cremation services by Roller-Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall, Arkansas.

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